He seems to admit that the Cure of Ars had a naturally stupid mind, because he had so much difficulty in getting through his studies for the priesthood.

The truth, probably, was that just at that time the supernatural action of the Holy Spirit came upon him and incapacitated him for his studies.

But everything about his after life shows that, though a rustic man, he had a good mind, a keen native wit, quick and clear perception.

I had something the same difficulty myself.
"During my novitiate and studies one of my great troubles was the relation between infused knowledge and acquired knowledge; how much one's education should be by prayer and how much by study; the relation between the Holy Ghost and professors.
"In the novitiate they were all too much on the passive side-- unbroken devotional and ascetic routine.

In the studentate, too much on the active side--leaving nothing for infused science and prayer as a part of the method of study.