I don’t understand how a man of his immense intellect can fail to see what is as clear as day, and can go so far astray.
 Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace (1869). copy citation

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Author Leo Tolstoy
Source War and Peace
Topic understanding intellect
Date 1869
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2600/2600-h/2600-h.htm

Context

“I only wish you were all as happy as I am.” Her brother shook his head incredulously. “The only thing that is hard for me... I will tell you the truth, Andrew... is Father’s way of treating religious subjects. I don’t understand how a man of his immense intellect can fail to see what is as clear as day, and can go so far astray. That is the only thing that makes me unhappy. But even in this I can see lately a shade of improvement. His satire has been less bitter of late, and there was a monk he received and had a long talk with.”” source