--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But you have to understand that I…" description: "\"But you have to understand that I consider myself a very modest artist, or whatever, and not of importance really at all - it is quite embarrassing to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ian-hamilton-finlay-26772_art_but-you-have-to-understand-that-i-consid_681853.png" --- # But you have to understand that I consider myself a very… ![“But you have to understand that I consider myself a very modest artist, or whatever, and not of importance really at all - it is quite embarrassing to me to be asked my opinion about things. I am only a wee Scottish poet on the outside of everything.” quote by Ian Hamilton Finlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ian-hamilton-finlay-26772_art_but-you-have-to-understand-that-i-consid_681853.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ian-hamilton-finlay-26772_art_but-you-have-to-understand-that-i-consid_681853.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/ian-hamilton-finlay-26772_art_but-you-have-to-understand-that-i-consid_681853.png) > “But you have to understand that I consider myself a very modest artist, or whatever, and not of importance really at all - it is quite embarrassing to me to be asked my opinion about things. I am only a wee Scottish poet on the outside of everything.” [Ian Hamilton Finlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hamilton-finlay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He downplays his artistic significance, feeling modest and embarrassed when asked for opinions, emphasizing humility. **In simple terms:** He sees himself as a modest poet, uneasy about being asked. Key Takeaway Embrace humility while sharing your voice. Themes modesty self-perception artistic identity Mood introspective humble Type personal creative When to use this quote - literary events - teaching workshops - media interviews Key Concepts Humility in art self-doubt public speaking Questions to Reflect On - What does humility mean for your creative work? - How can you share opinions confidently? A Different Perspective Risk of undervaluing genuine talent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Scottish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scottish/) ## Related quotes > ['Lesbian Vampire Killers' was quite embarrassing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-corden/lesbian-vampire-killers-was-quite-embarrassing/) [James Corden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-corden/) > [“Ma English is 10.42% Australian, 14.58% Irish, 16.67% North Irish, 16.67% Scottish, 16.67% Singaporean and 25% US Black Vernacular/Ebonics”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-loskov/ma-english-is-10-42-australian-14-58-irish-16-67-north-irish-16-67/) [Kimberly Loskov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-loskov/) > [“My energies have been drained. 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Pillow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-m-pillow/) > [Our Scottish theory ... is that every country has need of Scotchmen, but that Scotland has no need of the citizens of any other country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-balfour/our-scottish-theory-is-that-every-country-has-need-of-scotchmen-but/) [Arthur Balfour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-balfour/) ## More by Ian Hamilton Finlay > [I am always a beginner. I only try to include different parts of life; the pastoral, the tragic, et cetera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hamilton-finlay/i-am-always-a-beginner-i-only-try-to-include-different-parts-of-life/) [Ian Hamilton Finlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hamilton-finlay/) > [I have often said that just as the French revolution, for instance, understood itself through antiquity, I think our time can be understood through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hamilton-finlay/i-have-often-said-that-just-as-the-french-revolution-for-instance/) [Ian Hamilton Finlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hamilton-finlay/) > [But I can only write what the muse allows me to write. 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This was my idea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hamilton-finlay/but-at-the-beginning-it-was-clear-to-me-that-concrete-poetry-was/) [Ian Hamilton Finlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hamilton-finlay/) > [I came to these mediums through having the garden, and of course, people who have designed gardens have always worked in collaboration, and never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hamilton-finlay/i-came-to-these-mediums-through-having-the-garden-and-of-course/) [Ian Hamilton Finlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hamilton-finlay/) > [People have always found me challenging - I don't know why, when I am only being myself. 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