Business Quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
““Well,' said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return once more to London, 'it has been a pretty business for me! I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have I gained?' 'Experience,' said Holmes, laughing. 'Indirectly it may be of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your existence.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb, 1892
The engineer laments loss and expense, yet recognizes that experience gained is valuable, even if indirect.
In simple terms: Losses can teach valuable lessons.
Key Takeaway
Value experience over material loss.
Themes
loss
experience
humor
Mood
wry
philosophical
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career setbacks
- financial loss
- skill development
- adventure
Key Concepts
risk
learning
tradeoffs
Questions to Reflect On
- What have you learned from a recent setback?
- How can you turn loss into growth?
A Different Perspective
Experience may not always translate into immediate benefit.
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