--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Well,' said our engineer ruefully as we…" description: "\"“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 ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/arthur-conan-doyle-273_business_well-said-our-engineer-ruefully-as-we-to_478073.jpg" --- # Well,' said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to… ![“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…” quote by Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/arthur-conan-doyle-273_business_well-said-our-engineer-ruefully-as-we-to_478073.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/arthur-conan-doyle-273_business_well-said-our-engineer-ruefully-as-we-to_478073.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/arthur-conan-doyle-273_business_well-said-our-engineer-ruefully-as-we-to_478073.jpg) > ““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.”” [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. 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? 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