"Very simple ideas lie within the reach only of complex minds"

At first glance, simple ideas appear to be approachable by everyone, regardless of intellectual sophistication. Yet Remy de Gourmont challenges this notion, suggesting an intriguing paradox: the simplest insights are often accessible only to those possessing the greatest mental depth. The apparent simplicity of certain concepts, freedom, love, justice, beauty, can be deeply deceptive. It is not the complexity of the words, but the subtlety and richness of their implications, that make them elusive.

Complex minds excel at discernment and nuance, able to unravel the multiple layers of meaning behind an idea that, on the surface, seems straightforward. Such individuals possess the patience and flexibility to question initial appearances, stripping away conventions and assumptions that cloud understanding. Simplicity, in its purest form, is rarely simplistic; rather, it is the elegant end result of extensive reflection, analysis, and distillation. To recognize a universal truth in a succinct formulation requires not only intelligence, but also maturity, humility, and an ability to grasp the interconnectedness of things.

Moreover, complex minds are often less satisfied with superficial explanations. They probe deeper, seeking the underlying principles that unify disparate phenomena. When they finally apprehend a simple idea, it is not because the notion eluded lesser thinkers, but because their journey through complexity brought them full circle to the clarity and profundity inherent in simplicity. True understanding frequently lies beyond the clutter of unnecessary complexity, and cutting through it demands intellectual courage and sophistication.

Simplicity may be the highest form of refinement. Achieving it, whether in philosophy, art, or science, often demands a wrestling with chaos, contradiction, and ambiguity. Only those whose minds can navigate this intricate terrain are able to appreciate, and perhaps discover, fundamental truths in their most essential, unadorned form. Simple ideas endure because they can be seen anew by each generation, but only those who think deeply truly see what lies beneath their surface.