--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: True, at first sight, Grand manifested…" description: "\"“True, at first sight, Grand manifested both the outward signs and typical manner of a humble employee in the local administration. Tall and thin he se..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/albert-camus-47_black-hole_true-at-first-sight-grand-manifested-bot_2086051.jpg" --- # True, at first sight, Grand manifested both the outward… ![“True, at first sight, Grand manifested both the outward signs and typical manner of a humble employee in the local administration. Tall and thin he seemed lost in the garments that the always chose a size too large, under the illusion that they would wear longer. Though he still had most of the…” quote by Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/albert-camus-47_black-hole_true-at-first-sight-grand-manifested-bot_2086051.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/albert-camus-47_black-hole_true-at-first-sight-grand-manifested-bot_2086051.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ff/albert-camus-47_black-hole_true-at-first-sight-grand-manifested-bot_2086051.jpg) > ““True, at first sight, Grand manifested both the outward signs and typical manner of a humble employee in the local administration. Tall and thin he seemed lost in the garments that the always chose a size too large, under the illusion that they would wear longer. Though he still had most of the teeth in his lower jaw, all the upper ones were gone, with the result that when he smiled, raising his upper lip - the lower scarcely moved - his mouth looked like a small black hole let into his face. Also he had the walk of a shy young priest, sidling along walls and slipping mouselike into doorways, and he exuded a faint odor of smoke and basement rooms; in short, he had all the attributes of insignificance. Indeed, it cost an effort to picture him otherwise than bent over a desk, studiously revising the tariff of the town baths or gathering for a junior secretary the materials of a report on the new garbage-collection tax. Even before you knew what his employment was, you had a feeling that he'd been brought into the world for the sole purpose of performing the discreet but needful duties of a temporary assistant municipal clerk on a salary of sixty-two francs, thirty centimes a day.”” [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The description portrays a man whose outward insignificance masks a deeper existential absurdity, highlighting how society reduces individuals to bureaucratic roles. **In simple terms:** A seemingly insignificant clerk embodies existential absurdity. Key Takeaway Recognize the hidden depth in ordinary lives. Themes existentialism absurdism bureaucracy identity Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - office work - social observation - literary analysis Key Concepts philosophy character study Questions to Reflect On - What does this portrayal say about modern bureaucracy? - How does absurdity manifest in everyday roles? A Different Perspective The focus on minutiae may overlook broader societal issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black hole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-hole/) [First sight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-sight/) [Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grand/) [Grand Manifested](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grand-manifested-4099172/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Manner Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manner-humble-4099174/) [Mouth Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mouth-looked-2107683/) [Sight Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sight-grand-4099173/) ## Related quotes > [“He looked at my mouth then he looked in my eyes then his arm and hand gave me a squeeze before he stated, “Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/he-looked-at-my-mouth-then-he-looked-in-my-eyes-then-his-arm-and-hand/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“We have seasonal festivals where men and women can join,” he explained. 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Though he still had most of the teeth in his lower jaw, all the upper ones were gone, with the result that when he smiled, raising his upper lip - the lower scarcely moved - his mouth looked like a small black hole let into his face. Also he had the walk of a shy young priest, sidling along walls and slipping mouselike into doorways, and he exuded a faint odor of smoke and basement rooms; in short, he had all the attributes of insignificance. Indeed, it cost an effort to picture him otherwise than bent over a desk, studiously revising the tariff of the town baths or gathering for a junior secretary the materials of a report on the new garbage-collection tax. 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