Quote by H. L. Mencken
The professor must be an obscurantist or he is nothing; he has a special and unmatchable talent for dullness, his central aim is not to expose the truth clearly, but to exhibit his profundity, his esotericity - in brief to stagger sophomores and other professors.
Summary
This quote suggests that a professor who is not obscure or mysterious fails in their role as an educator. It claims that a professor's main goal is not to convey information clearly and truthfully, but rather to impress others with their depth of knowledge. The quote implies that a professor's success is measured by their ability to confuse and bewilder students, particularly those in their early years of study, as well as their colleagues. Essentially, it presents an unconventional view that values intellectual showmanship over effective education.
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