Quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald: “The test of a first‑rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

This statement defines true intelligence not as simply knowing facts, but as the capacity to grapple with conflicting thoughts or beliefs simultaneously without losing one's mental clarity or effectiveness. It suggests a sophisticated level of critical thinking and emotional resilience.

Published in 'The Crack-Up,' this essay collection reflected Fitzgerald's personal struggles during the Great Depression, a time of widespread economic hardship and social uncertainty. The intellectual demands of navigating such complex societal shifts are mirrored in his definition of intelligence.

American novelist, essayist, and short story writer. He is best known for his novels depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age—a term he popularized in his short story collection Tales of the Jazz Age. His masterpiece is The Great Gatsby.