What do these mean

Arts are an adornment of life but not central to it

The absentminded professor the ivory tower reflect antiintellectualism

Arts are like jewelry. They are decorative, but not necessary.

The second quote implies that professors aren't practical and that they see an ideal world.

What are some pictures or symbols that could represent these quotes?

For the first one would I just do art like maybe a brush and for second one a businessmen? Or what's something more symbolic

You could use a brush, but how about a piece of cubic art work.

http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/art-movements/cubism/picasso_cubism.jpg

You might want one of these pictures of an ivory tower.

http://www.google.com/search?q=ivory+tower&biw=1901&bih=927&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiBi5ntv83JAhVQ-mMKHRYaDn8QsAQINg

To understand the meaning of these phrases, let's break them down:

1. "Arts are an adornment of life but not central to it":
This statement suggests that although the arts (e.g., painting, music, literature) can enhance and beautify our lives, they are not essential or crucial for our existence or the core aspects of life. In order to understand this concept further, we can analyze it using the following steps:

- Define the term "arts": The arts encompass various forms of expression, such as visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts.
- Identify the implication of "adornment": Adornment refers to the act of decorating or embellishing something, making it more visually pleasing or aesthetically attractive.
- Determine what is meant by "central to life": This phrase indicates the essential elements or fundamental aspects that are vital for human existence and survival.

By combining these definitions, we can conclude that the statement suggests that while arts can enhance our lives and make them more beautiful, they are not considered necessary for basic survival or the core aspects of life.

2. "The absentminded professor, the ivory tower reflect anti-intellectualism":
This phrase conveys a viewpoint that associates the concept of "the absentminded professor" and the "ivory tower" with anti-intellectualism. To understand this statement further, we can follow these steps:

- Define "the absentminded professor": This term refers to a stereotype often associated with highly intelligent individuals, typically professors or scholars, who may be preoccupied with their thoughts or research and therefore become forgetful or oblivious to their surroundings.
- Identify "the ivory tower": The ivory tower symbolically represents a place of intellectual pursuits, often separated from the practical or real-world concerns.
- Understand "anti-intellectualism": Anti-intellectualism refers to a sentiment or ideology that devalues or opposes intellectual or academic pursuits, often favoring practical or tangible outcomes.

Considering these definitions, the phrase suggests that the characteristics of the absentminded professor and the notion of isolating oneself in the ivory tower can be seen as reflections or symbols of the disdain or rejection of intellectual pursuits, which is known as anti-intellectualism.