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When I am in the company of scientists, I feel like a…

“When I am in the company of scientists, I feel like a shabby curate who has strayed by mistake into a drawing room full of dukes.” quote by W. H. Auden
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“When I am in the company of scientists, I feel like a shabby curate who has strayed by mistake into a drawing room full of dukes.”

W. H. Auden

About This Quote

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

The speaker feels out of place among intellectuals, likening himself to a lowly cleric among aristocrats.

In simple terms: Feeling inferior among experts.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility and curiosity.

Themes

insecurity intellectualism social class

Mood

reflective humble

Type

personal philosophical

When to use this quote

  • academic conferences
  • networking events
  • formal gatherings
  • high‑status meetings

Key Concepts

humility self-awareness

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you often feel out of place in elite circles?
  • How can you turn discomfort into learning?
A Different Perspective

The comparison may exaggerate personal inadequacy.

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