"He was a sociologist; he had got into an intellectual muddle early on in life and never managed to get out"

This quote is referring to a person who has ended up being stuck in an intellectual dilemma. The person in question is a sociologist, suggesting that they have a deep understanding of the complexities of society. However, this individual has actually ended up being stuck in a mental rut, not able to advance any even more in their intellectual pursuits. This might be due to an absence of resources, or a lack of motivation, and even an uncertainty in their own abilities. Whatever the cause, this person has actually been not able to break out of their psychological muddle and has actually been stuck in the very same place for a long period of time. This quote is a reminder that even the most smart of individuals can become stuck in a rut, which it is essential to keep pushing forward in order to make progress.