We had been assured by our elders that intelligence was a family trait. All my kin and forebears were people of substantial or remarkable intellect, thought somehow none of them had prospered in the world. Too bookish, my grandmother said with tart pride, and Lucille and I read constantly to forestall criticism, anticipating failure. If my family were not as intelligent as we were pleased to pretend, this was an innocent deception, for it was a matter of indifference to everybody whether we were intelligent or not. People always interpreted our slightly formal manner and our quiet tastes as a sign that we wished to stay a little apart. This was a matter of indifference, also, and we had our wish. Marilynne Robinson
About This Quote

In this quote by James Baldwin, he talks about how intelligence is a family trait. And, in the beginning of this quote he says that he and his family pretends they are not as smart as they really are. This is to keep from being judged for being smart when in reality they aren't. In the end of this quote, he says that intelligence isn't a matter of concern to anyone else and that is what everyone views intelligence as.

Source: Housekeeping

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