The quote highlights the challenge of engaging with intelligent individuals, as they often blend their beliefs with those they don’t hold, making their communication complex. This mixture can lead to confusion, as their arguments might be motivated more by the desired outcome than by coherent reasoning or genuine conviction.
John Updike, in "Rabbit, Run," suggests that this complexity makes it difficult to discern the true intentions or beliefs of such individuals. The interplay of sincerity and manipulation complicates discourse, as one must navigate through layered meanings to understand the underlying message.