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It is the small men and not the great who hold their noses…

“It is the small men and not the great who hold their noses in the air.” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
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“It is the small men and not the great who hold their noses in the air.”

Arthur Conan Doyle

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Only small men, not great ones, act pretentiously.

In simple terms: Small men act pretentiously.

Key Takeaway

Avoid pretentious behavior.

Themes

humility pride social behavior

Mood

critical reflective

Type

social philosophical

When to use this quote

  • professional meetings
  • social gatherings
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

social status personal conduct leadership

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives pretentiousness?
  • How can humility be cultivated?
A Different Perspective

Great people can also be pretentious.

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