Again and again I am brought up against it, and again and again I resist it: I don't want to believe it, even though it is almost palpable: the vast majority lack an intellectual conscience; indeed, it often seems to me that to demand such a thing is to be in the most populous cities as solitary as in the desert.

Summary

This quote reflects the author's frustration and disbelief in the lack of intellectual conscience he perceives in the majority of people. Despite encountering this reality repeatedly, he resists accepting it because it seems almost tangible. The author's observations make him feel isolated even in heavily populated cities, highlighting the scarcity of individuals who prioritize and uphold intellectual integrity in their thoughts and actions.