--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to…" description: "\"I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man Booker if it weren't for 'Downton.'\" — Dan Stevens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/dan-stevens-10391_judging_i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-j_2566929.jpg" --- # I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man… ![“I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man Booker if it weren't for 'Downton.'” quote by Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/dan-stevens-10391_judging_i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-j_2566929.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/dan-stevens-10391_judging_i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-j_2566929.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/dan-stevens-10391_judging_i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-j_2566929.jpg) > “I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man Booker if it weren't for 'Downton.'” [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. I was invited to judge the Man Booker only because of “Downton.” **In simple terms:** His TV role influenced his literary judging invitation. Key Takeaway Recognize how fame shapes opportunities. Themes media influence literature Mood critical analytical Type conversational humorous When to use this quote - book awards - media interviews - career decisions Key Concepts celebrity bias gatekeeping Questions to Reflect On - How does fame affect credibility? - Can expertise be separated from popularity? A Different Perspective Relying on fame can undermine merit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [One of the reasons it is considered such a privilege to sit on a Man Booker jury is because it is famously rigorous. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-foreman/one-of-the-reasons-it-is-considered-such-a-privilege-to-sit-on-a-man/) [Amanda Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-foreman/) > [ I'm hugely honored \[with the Man Booker Prize\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-beatty/i-m-hugely-honored-with-the-man-booker-prize/) [Paul Beatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-beatty/) > [I wouldn't get asked to dances because I wasn't as petite and cute as the other girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-jax/i-wouldn-t-get-asked-to-dances-because-i-wasn-t-as-petite-and-cute-as/) [Nia Jax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-jax/) > [“I hope you make it through law school still feeling like you do.' 'Why wouldn't I?' I asked him. And he answered, 'Sometimes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francisco-x-stork/i-hope-you-make-it-through-law-school-still-feeling-like-you-do-why/) [Francisco X. Stork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francisco-x-stork/) > [If they'd wanted a nice parrot, they wouldn't have asked for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-gottfried/if-they-d-wanted-a-nice-parrot-they-wouldn-t-have-asked-for-me/) [Gilbert Gottfried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-gottfried/) > [In Australia, the Man Booker is sometimes seen as something of a chicken raffle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-flanagan/in-australia-the-man-booker-is-sometimes-seen-as-something-of-a/) [Richard Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-flanagan/) > [Is the prestige conferred by the Man Booker prize for the book or me? I would prefer it on the book and for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/is-the-prestige-conferred-by-the-man-booker-prize-for-the-book-or-me/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [“When I was in the middle of Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy – which was not selected for the Man Booker shortlist –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/when-i-was-in-the-middle-of-red-storm-rising-by-tom-clancy-which-was/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) > [ I'll say this, and it'll sound like bullshit, but it's not: I don't really pay attention to this stuff \[Man Booker Prize\] very much.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-beatty/i-ll-say-this-and-it-ll-sound-like-bullshit-but-it-s-not-i-don-t/) [Paul Beatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-beatty/) > [Judge a man's character by what he finds ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/judge-a-man-s-character-by-what-he-finds-ridiculous/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I've heard people, usually writers, say that no one wrote a great book after winning the Booker, but I honestly did not feel any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-enright/i-ve-heard-people-usually-writers-say-that-no-one-wrote-a-great-book/) [Anne Enright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-enright/) > [Booker Washington was essentially the head Republican boss in the South. He was a power broker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/booker-washington-was-essentially-the-head-republican-boss-in-the/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [ The \[Booker\] prize was actually responsible in many ways for my political activism. I won this thing and I was suddenly the darling of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/the-booker-prize-was-actually-responsible-in-many-ways-for-my/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [You can't really win as a Booker judge. If you choose the obvious names, the unit-shifters, you're accused of being timid and unimaginative; if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tibor-fischer/you-can-t-really-win-as-a-booker-judge-if-you-choose-the-obvious/) [Tibor Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tibor-fischer/) > [Unless you got real short and real fat, you ain't no Booker T!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/unless-you-got-real-short-and-real-fat-you-ain-t-no-booker-t/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) ## More by Dan Stevens > [At the age of 11 I was about 6 ft. tall and my voice had completely broken. That caused problems. I was this gangly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/at-the-age-of-11-i-was-about-6-ft-tall-and-my-voice-had-completely/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [I've been exploring a lot of different avenues with a number of very different and very, very exciting filmmakers and writers. That's been the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-ve-been-exploring-a-lot-of-different-avenues-with-a-number-of-very/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [Soap opera seems to be a dirty word, but actually they are the most popular shows we have. People want to know what happens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/soap-opera-seems-to-be-a-dirty-word-but-actually-they-are-the-most/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [I'm shocked at being recognized. You go to places you don't think you would be and still, you are. Taxi drivers often recognise me...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-m-shocked-at-being-recognized-you-go-to-places-you-don-t-think-you/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [I've always enjoyed family movies anyway. And I grew up loving actors who could hop around and play in something very family friendly, big,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-ve-always-enjoyed-family-movies-anyway-and-i-grew-up-loving-actors/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [Soap opera seems to be a dirty word, but actually they are the most popular shows we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/soap-opera-seems-to-be-a-dirty-word-but-actually-they-are-the-most-2/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [I don't think there's ever a right time to have kids. I'm actually pretty glad it's happened quite young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-don-t-think-there-s-ever-a-right-time-to-have-kids-i-m-actually/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [In the 21st century, I think it's fair to say, homosexuality is more accepted in Britain and it's wonderful that my generation has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/in-the-21st-century-i-think-it-s-fair-to-say-homosexuality-is-more/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [It's the challenge of trying to evoke any kind of sympathy for a role that ordinarily we would say, "Oh, this is a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/it-s-the-challenge-of-trying-to-evoke-any-kind-of-sympathy-for-a-role/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [I don't think many people get to play big emotions in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-don-t-think-many-people-get-to-play-big-emotions-in-life/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > ["I've never see you do something like this before and I'd love to see you try." For a young actor, that's about the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-ve-never-see-you-do-something-like-this-before-and-i-d-love-to-see/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [I've never tried to find my real parents. I'm very grateful to my mum and dad for adopting me - they're completely incredible people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-ve-never-tried-to-find-my-real-parents-i-m-very-grateful-to-my-mum/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [It's great when somebody is able to communicate an actual shot sequence to you and you know the world you're inhabiting with that. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/it-s-great-when-somebody-is-able-to-communicate-an-actual-shot/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [As long as I am given the opportunity to keep performing and keep exploring in whatever medium, I'll be happy. As long as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/as-long-as-i-am-given-the-opportunity-to-keep-performing-and-keep/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [People look at me, they know I've appeared in costume dramas and they automatically assume I must be a Tory, I must be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/people-look-at-me-they-know-i-ve-appeared-in-costume-dramas-and-they/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) [Explore all 66 Dan Stevens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) ## More Judging quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Capability is just a concept of what is it we're looking at. Now how far we can go along that and what new capabilities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amartya-sen/capability-is-just-a-concept-of-what-is-it-we-re-looking-at-now-how/) [Amartya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amartya-sen/) > [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Care less about what other people think because at the end of the day, everyone is so worried about themselves & how they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-oakley/care-less-about-what-other-people-think-because-at-the-end-of-the-day/) [Tyler Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-oakley/) > [“He wished he could somehow go back and find the iPhone people whom he'd jostled on the sidewalk earlier, apologize to them - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-st-john-mandel/he-wished-he-could-somehow-go-back-and-find-the-iphone-people-whom-he/) [Emily St. John Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-st-john-mandel/) > [The odor of bowel wind is known to every human, but the fragrance of book glue has crossed only a fraction of mortal nostrils.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-odor-of-bowel-wind-is-known-to-every-human-but-the-fragrance-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The quality an artist must have is objectivity in judging his work, plus the honesty and courage not to kid himself about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/the-quality-an-artist-must-have-is-objectivity-in-judging-his-work/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [Judge not; speak hardly at all; love and act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliphas-levi/judge-not-speak-hardly-at-all-love-and-act/) [Eliphas Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliphas-levi/) > [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [A hard heart makes for hard judgments; a compassionate heart understands the humanity of the one we presume to judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-chittister/a-hard-heart-makes-for-hard-judgments-a-compassionate-heart/) [Joan D. Chittister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-chittister/) > [Please be slow to judge ‘brothers’ who have a different calling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-foreman/please-be-slow-to-judge-brothers-who-have-a-different-calling/) [Jon Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-foreman/) > [When I went to law school, which after all was back in the dark ages, we never looked beyond our borders for precedents. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-day-o-connor/when-i-went-to-law-school-which-after-all-was-back-in-the-dark-ages/) [Sandra Day O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-day-o-connor/) > [We still seek to solve conflicts with 'judgement' instead of designing the way forwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/we-still-seek-to-solve-conflicts-with-judgement-instead-of-designing/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/conservative-political-opinion-in-america-cleaves-to-the-tradition-of/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) Browse all 4,498 Judging quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man Booker if it weren't for 'Downton.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dan Stevens" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-judge-the-man-booker-if-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Judging" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-judge-the-man-booker-if-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/dan-stevens-10391_judging_i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-j_2566929.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/dan-stevens-10391_judging_i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-j_2566929.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/dan-stevens-10391_judging_i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-j_2566929.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man Booker if it weren't for 'Downton.'” — Dan Stevens", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dan Stevens", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm sure I wouldn't have been...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-judge-the-man-booker-if-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/i-m-sure-i-wouldn-t-have-been-asked-to-judge-the-man-booker-if-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```