On a level plain, simple mounds look like hills and the insipid flatness of our present bourgeoisie is to be measured by the altitude of its great intellects.

Summary

This quote suggests that in a society where intellect and creativity are limited or mediocre, the accomplishments or insights of those who are considered intelligent or influential may appear significant, but only due to the overall lack of depth and innovation in that society. The comparison between simple mounds and hills emphasizes how even minor achievements may seem grand when there is a lack of exceptional intellectual achievements in the broader context. Ultimately, it implies that the current state of the bourgeois intellect is unremarkable and implies a deficiency in intellectual prowess within the society.

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