--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All this intelligent and careful work…" description: "\"“All this intelligent and careful work revealed a man of great forethought. Yet you could see in Mr. Wicks's eyes--as he stood in the shade of the term..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/bill-buford-26729_education_all-this-intelligent-and-careful-work-re_1017316.png" --- # All this intelligent and careful work revealed a man of… ![“All this intelligent and careful work revealed a man of great forethought. Yet you could see in Mr. Wicks's eyes--as he stood in the shade of the terminal awning, all that tweed and education waving to us, as one by one each bus pulled out for the noisy drive into the city--that he had failed.” quote by Bill Buford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/bill-buford-26729_education_all-this-intelligent-and-careful-work-re_1017316.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/bill-buford-26729_education_all-this-intelligent-and-careful-work-re_1017316.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/bill-buford-26729_education_all-this-intelligent-and-careful-work-re_1017316.png) > ““All this intelligent and careful work revealed a man of great forethought. Yet you could see in Mr. Wicks's eyes--as he stood in the shade of the terminal awning, all that tweed and education waving to us, as one by one each bus pulled out for the noisy drive into the city--that he had failed.”” [Bill Buford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-buford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A seemingly competent man appears to have missed the crucial outcome despite his preparation. **In simple terms:** Even careful planning can end in failure. Key Takeaway Recognize limits of foresight. Themes planning failure perception Mood reflective analytical Type observational critical When to use this quote - business decisions - personal projects - travel planning - event organization Key Concepts cognitive bias overconfidence Questions to Reflect On - How do you gauge hidden risks? - What signs indicate overconfidence? 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And because it is often by describing the thing lost - a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-buford/literature-is-always-best-when-it-is-celebrating-its-subjects-darkly/) [Bill Buford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-buford/) [Explore all 21 Bill Buford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-buford/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. 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