One of the indictments of civilizations is that happiness and intelligence are so rarely found in the same person.

William Feather (1889–1981) was an American publisher and syndicated columnist best known for short, epigrammatic observations on modern life, business, and “common sense.” This line reflects a recurring theme in his work: skepticism about the way modern “civilization” defines success and progress. In the early-to-mid 20th century—an era marked by rapid industrialization, mass media, and two world wars—Feather often framed social critique as a moral or psychological diagnosis. The remark functions less as a statistical claim than as a pointed cultural complaint: that advanced societies may cultivate cleverness, ambition, and specialized knowledge while leaving many people anxious, dissatisfied, or emotionally stunted.

Feather’s aphorism suggests that a mature civilization should be judged not only by its technical or intellectual achievements but by whether it enables people to live well. By calling the separation of happiness and intelligence an “indictment,” he implies a systemic failure: social arrangements may reward sharp minds with status and pressure rather than contentment, while happiness may be associated with simplicity, ignorance, or withdrawal from competitive life. The quote also challenges the romantic assumption that intelligence naturally leads to fulfillment. Instead, it hints that awareness can intensify dissatisfaction—seeing more clearly can mean noticing more to worry about—unless a culture provides ethical, communal, or spiritual resources that help intelligence coexist with peace of mind.