"Any feeling that I was enriching my mind from those surrounding me was unfortunately rare with me"

This quote by Georg Brandes speaks to the trouble of finding intellectual enrichment in one's environment. Brandes is revealing his regret that he was not able to discover the very same level of intellectual stimulation from those around him as he would have liked. He is indicating that he was unable to discover the exact same level of intellectual stimulation from his peers or those in his immediate environment. This could be due to a lack of shared interests, or an absence of intellectual curiosity from those around him. It might also be because of an absence of access to resources or knowledge. Whatever the factor, Brandes is expressing his dissatisfaction that he was unable to find the same level of intellectual enrichment from those around him as he would have liked. This quote speaks with the value of finding intellectual stimulation from those around us, and the requirement to look for understanding and resources in order to enrich our minds.