--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who was she, what was she that she should…" description: "\"“Who was she, what was she that she should hold herself superior? What view of life, what design upon fate, what conception of happiness, had she that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/henry-james-417_greater_who-was-she-what-was-she-that-she-should_2065284.jpg" --- # Who was she, what was she that she should hold herself… ![“Who was she, what was she that she should hold herself superior? What view of life, what design upon fate, what conception of happiness, had she that she pretended to be larger than this large occasion? If she would not do this, then she must do great things, she must do something greater.” quote by Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/henry-james-417_greater_who-was-she-what-was-she-that-she-should_2065284.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/henry-james-417_greater_who-was-she-what-was-she-that-she-should_2065284.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76c/henry-james-417_greater_who-was-she-what-was-she-that-she-should_2065284.jpg) > ““Who was she, what was she that she should hold herself superior? What view of life, what design upon fate, what conception of happiness, had she that she pretended to be larger than this large occasion? If she would not do this, then she must do great things, she must do something greater.”” [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage questions a woman's self-importance, urging her to pursue meaningful actions rather than merely appearing superior, emphasizing authentic achievement over pretension. **In simple terms:** Question superiority, seek real achievement. Key Takeaway Focus on genuine accomplishments. Themes self‑importance authenticity achievement Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career - personal growth - creative projects - leadership Key Concepts existentialism self‑realization Questions to Reflect On - What actions would demonstrate true greatness? - How can you balance confidence with humility? A Different Perspective May assume superiority without evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [View of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/view-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [“These are small things; I am coming to things of greater importance, but which seem smaller, because they are more common.' — Bernanrd of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-rudolph/these-are-small-things-i-am-coming-to-things-of-greater-importance/) Conrad Rudolph > [I believe in things that are greater than us. I don't know how to quantify them but I believe in energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-fitzgerald/i-believe-in-things-that-are-greater-than-us-i-don-t-know-how-to/) [Tara Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-fitzgerald/) > [Things seem greater by imagination than they are in effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/things-seem-greater-by-imagination-than-they-are-in-effect/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Simple things have greater power than the complicated things!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/simple-things-have-greater-power-than-the-complicated-things/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Don't build your identity on material things, you are greater than what you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pontsho-manzi/don-t-build-your-identity-on-material-things-you-are-greater-than/) [Pontsho Manzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pontsho-manzi/) > [Now, may our God be our hope. He Who made all things is better than all things. He Who made all beautiful things is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/now-may-our-god-be-our-hope-he-who-made-all-things-is-better-than-all/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [There are things greater than our wisdom, beyond our justice. 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