The quote from Orson Scott Card's "Children of the Mind" suggests that proclaiming one's intelligence in the heat of an argument can signify a weakness in the position being defended. When a person resorts to asserting their knowledge instead of providing compelling evidence or reasoning, it may indicate that they lack substantive points to support their case. Thus, such declarations can detract from the credibility of their argument and show that they may be struggling to justify their stance.

This idea emphasizes the importance of rational discourse over self-promotion. An effective argument should be rooted in logic and facts rather than claims about one's own intellect. When individuals focus on convincing others through well-structured arguments rather than their own self-affirmations, discussions become more constructive and meaningful, leading to better understanding and resolution.