Intellectuals can tell themselves anything, sell themselves any bill of goods, which is why they were so often patsies for the ruling classes in nineteenth-century France and England, or twentieth-century Russia and America.

Summary

This quote suggests that intellectuals have the ability to manipulate their own beliefs and convince themselves of various ideas, regardless of their validity. As a result, they often fall prey to being easily controlled or exploited by those in power. The quote cites examples from the 19th and 20th centuries, mentioning how intellectuals were easily deceived by the ruling classes in France, England, Russia, and America. It implies that intellectuals' susceptibility to manipulation can be detrimental to society, as their influence and ideas may be misused by the ruling elites.

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