Learning is, in too many cases, but a foil to common sense; a substitute for true knowledge. Books are less often made use of as spectacles to look at nature with, than as blinds to keep out its strong light and shifting scenery from weak eyes and indolent dispositions. The learned are mere literary drudges.

Summary

This quote suggests that in many cases, learning and education serve as a distraction from common sense and true knowledge. It implies that people often rely on books and academia to shield themselves from the complexities of nature and avoid engaging with the world directly. The quote also implies that those who are highly educated may become trapped in their scholarly pursuits, lacking creativity and originality, and becoming mere followers of established literary traditions.

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