In Saul Bellow's "To Jerusalem and Back," the quote highlights the paradox of intelligence being misapplied towards maintaining a sense of ignorance. When individuals have a profound need for illusion – perhaps for comfort or security – they may choose to overlook the truth, investing their mental resources in justifying their beliefs rather than seeking clarity. This reflects a common human tendency to prefer comforting lies over challenging realities.

This exploration of the relationship between intelligence and ignorance suggests that our cognitive abilities can sometimes serve to reinforce delusions rather than illuminate understanding. Bellow prompts readers to consider how they might, consciously or unconsciously, prioritize familiar illusions over uncomfortable truths, revealing the complexities of human nature and the motivations behind our beliefs.