--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many, many years ago before I got into…" description: "\"Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied to be a spy for MI5. I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants. The top 1 per cent of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cd/chris-mccausland-6393_blind_many-many-years-ago-before-i-got-into-co_1028156.jpg" --- # Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied… ![“Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied to be a spy for MI5. I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants. The top 1 per cent of potential spies that this country had to offer before they decided no, a blind spy wasn't what they were looking for but, you know, I think they…” quote by Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cd/chris-mccausland-6393_blind_many-many-years-ago-before-i-got-into-co_1028156.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cd/chris-mccausland-6393_blind_many-many-years-ago-before-i-got-into-co_1028156.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cd/chris-mccausland-6393_blind_many-many-years-ago-before-i-got-into-co_1028156.jpg) > “Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied to be a spy for MI5. I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants. The top 1 per cent of potential spies that this country had to offer before they decided no, a blind spy wasn't what they were looking for but, you know, I think they had a point.” [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He humorously reflects on a near‑miss career as a spy, noting that his comedic style didn’t fit the secret‑service mold. **In simple terms:** He almost became a spy but was rejected because he wasn’t the right fit. Key Takeaway Embrace your unique strengths rather than forcing a mismatch. Themes career self‑discovery humor identity fit Mood lighthearted reflective Type anecdotal motivational When to use this quote - comedy auditions - career counseling - team hiring - personal development Key Concepts personal branding career alignment self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What strengths make you uniquely suited for your current path? - How do you handle rejection that redirects you? A Different Perspective The story highlights that talent fit matters more than prestige. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Spies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spies/) ## Related quotes > [“With the threat of them being potential spies or saboteurs, nobody will argue against our actions, and history itself will vindicate us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-meekins/with-the-threat-of-them-being-potential-spies-or-saboteurs-nobody/) [Evan Meekins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-meekins/) > [Communications is the number one major in America today. CNN had 25,000 applicants for five intern jobs this summer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-king/communications-is-the-number-one-major-in-america-today-cnn-had-25/) [Larry King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-king/) > [“Encryption matters, and it is not just for spies and philanderers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/encryption-matters-and-it-is-not-just-for-spies-and-philanderers/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“The lie detector didn’t react to anything I said, but I wouldn’t dare smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-bode/the-lie-detector-didn-t-react-to-anything-i-said-but-i-wouldn-t-dare/) [Maya Bode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-bode/) > [At the secret CIA training facility called 'The Farm,' aspiring case-officers learn how to recruit spies and steal secrets. As a former CIA officer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/at-the-secret-cia-training-facility-called-the-farm-aspiring-case/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [“When the spies got inside Jericho’s wall, they made a beeline past the apartments and the wall-marts to the whorehouse, where they were taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-russell/when-the-spies-got-inside-jericho-s-wall-they-made-a-beeline-past-the/) [Mark Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-russell/) > [“Listen Peter,’ he said seriously. ‘What I'm about to say is extremely important, not only for your own good, but for the good of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-st-john/listen-peter-he-said-seriously-what-i-m-about-to-say-is-extremely/) [Peter St. John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-st-john/) > [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The trouble is, when professional spies go out of their way to make a definitive statement about one of their own, the public tends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/the-trouble-is-when-professional-spies-go-out-of-their-way-to-make-a/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [“Jabir listened but was not convinced.  “Iraq and Iran haven’t gotten along for many centuries. Why should we now?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-braungart/jabir-listened-but-was-not-convinced-iraq-and-iran-haven-t-gotten/) [Karl Braungart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-braungart/) > [“Langley bred a certain type of person with great intention. The human resources department required nearly as sophisticated of analysts as the foreign intelligence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-blackmar/langley-bred-a-certain-type-of-person-with-great-intention-the-human/) [Lynn Blackmar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-blackmar/) > [“They are the Emperor's spies, his eyes and ears. And occasionally his assassins.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-moeller/they-are-the-emperor-s-spies-his-eyes-and-ears-and-occasionally-his/) [Jonathan Moeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-moeller/) > [Spies are the ears and eyes of Princes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/spies-are-the-ears-and-eyes-of-princes/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [You basically have a group of four spies who are chosen for a mission they feel for the fact of how competent they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-leblanc/you-basically-have-a-group-of-four-spies-who-are-chosen-for-a-mission/) [Matt LeBlanc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-leblanc/) ## More by Chris McCausland > [It happens a lot every four years, or it used to, every time the Paralympics comes around. They'll be like: 'We've had this idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/it-happens-a-lot-every-four-years-or-it-used-to-every-time-the/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [Committing to providing greater opportunities for disabled actors should include writing disabilities into more roles where it is irrelevant to the storyline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/committing-to-providing-greater-opportunities-for-disabled-actors/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [I just love 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/i-just-love-planes-trains-and-automobiles/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [Since jumping on this crazy train, 'Strictly's' popularity has taken me somewhat by surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/since-jumping-on-this-crazy-train-strictly-s-popularity-has-taken-me/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [It's great that there's people coming through who are able to represent disability while also having the experience to do the job properly. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/it-s-great-that-there-s-people-coming-through-who-are-able-to/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [I've been a stand-up now for over two decades and I am lucky enough to enjoy the privilege of being able to tour and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/i-ve-been-a-stand-up-now-for-over-two-decades-and-i-am-lucky-enough/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [Kiss were one of the biggest rock bands in the world: their image was absolutely majestic, their music has stood the test of time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/kiss-were-one-of-the-biggest-rock-bands-in-the-world-their-image-was/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [I came across a thing that said you could be a comedian in two weeks and I thought 'behave - nobody could do that.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/i-came-across-a-thing-that-said-you-could-be-a-comedian-in-two-weeks/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [My home city of Liverpool is known for having a sense of humour because it's experienced dark times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/my-home-city-of-liverpool-is-known-for-having-a-sense-of-humour/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [There's no point fast-tracking performers on to TV before they're ready. In comedy especially, you need experience to be able to react in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/there-s-no-point-fast-tracking-performers-on-to-tv-before-they-re/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [Disability is everywhere. It's just something that happens. It could happen to friends, family, loved ones. It could happen to you. I mean after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/disability-is-everywhere-it-s-just-something-that-happens-it-could/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [I worked in a call centre for three-and-a-half years. I've tried to find something funny to include in my stand-up but I could never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/i-worked-in-a-call-centre-for-three-and-a-half-years-i-ve-tried-to/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [I wanted to be cool - and I wasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/i-wanted-to-be-cool-and-i-wasn-t/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [Basically, I've played a few blind guys on the telly and I am grateful for those opportunities. In spite of this though, I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/basically-i-ve-played-a-few-blind-guys-on-the-telly-and-i-am-grateful/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [As well as being a comedian, I am - whether I like it or not - representative of another group of people, people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/as-well-as-being-a-comedian-i-am-whether-i-like-it-or-not/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) [Explore all 99 Chris McCausland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) ## More Blind quotes > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Love is so blind, it feels right when it's wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/love-is-so-blind-it-feels-right-when-it-s-wrong/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [... Arthur Gride, whose bleared eyes gloated only over the outward beauties, and were blind to the spirit which reigned within, evinced - a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/arthur-gride-whose-bleared-eyes-gloated-only-over-the-outward/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“A man who saw has turned blind, A hearer deaf, A leader now leads astray!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-lichtheim/a-man-who-saw-has-turned-blind-a-hearer-deaf-a-leader-now-leads-astray/) [Miriam Lichtheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-lichtheim/) > [“What I shall feel to-morrow I cannot tell. Maybe I shall go blind again, for women are never two days alike in their minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-parker/what-i-shall-feel-to-morrow-i-cannot-tell-maybe-i-shall-go-blind/) [Gilbert Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-parker/) > [Now the stage today is to know that Self Realization gives you experiences and then your faith is established. Not blind but open enlightened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/now-the-stage-today-is-to-know-that-self-realization-gives-you/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“The heart’s blind. It’s the head that causes all the trouble. Sometimes both are stupid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-bromberg/the-heart-s-blind-it-s-the-head-that-causes-all-the-trouble-sometimes/) [K. Bromberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-bromberg/) > [“In the story of the blind men and the elephant, what’s usually ignored is the fact that each man’s description was correct. What Faye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-hill/in-the-story-of-the-blind-men-and-the-elephant-what-s-usually-ignored/) [Nathan Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-hill/) > [My favorite performance would definitely be "Toxic," which was my blind audition song. It was the start of it all and it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-martinez/my-favorite-performance-would-definitely-be-toxic-which-was-my-blind/) [Melanie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-martinez/) > [Our attitude towards evil must be freed from hatred, and has itself need to be enlightened in character...Satan rejoices when he succeeds in inspiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolai-berdyaev/our-attitude-towards-evil-must-be-freed-from-hatred-and-has-itself/) [Nikolai Berdyaev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolai-berdyaev/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [I'm glad I'm blind and can't see it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-m-glad-i-m-blind-and-can-t-see-it/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Shut your eyes and you will know what I mean by thought entombed in darkness. Light comes through the senses, and not only through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/shut-your-eyes-and-you-will-know-what-i-mean-by-thought-entombed-in/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [Blind with love, my daughter has cried nightly for horses, those long-necked marchers and churners that she has mastered, any and all, reigning them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/blind-with-love-my-daughter-has-cried-nightly-for-horses-those-long/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) [Browse all 3,877 Blind quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied to be a spy for MI5. I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants. 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