--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was worth many hardships to see forty…" description: "\"“It was worth many hardships to see forty German professors try to mount forty recalcitrant mules. My own horseman¬ ship, as already hinted, is nothing..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/jane-ellen-harrison-30732_professors_it-was-worth-many-hardships-to-see-forty_612599.jpg" --- # It was worth many hardships to see forty German professors… ![“It was worth many hardships to see forty German professors try to mount forty recalcitrant mules. My own horseman¬ ship, as already hinted, is nothing to “ write home about ”, but compared to those German professors I am a centaur.” quote by Jane Ellen Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/jane-ellen-harrison-30732_professors_it-was-worth-many-hardships-to-see-forty_612599.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/jane-ellen-harrison-30732_professors_it-was-worth-many-hardships-to-see-forty_612599.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/jane-ellen-harrison-30732_professors_it-was-worth-many-hardships-to-see-forty_612599.jpg) > ““It was worth many hardships to see forty German professors try to mount forty recalcitrant mules. My own horseman¬ ship, as already hinted, is nothing to “ write home about ”, but compared to those German professors I am a centaur.”” [Jane Ellen Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ellen-harrison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comparing oneself to others can highlight personal inadequacies, yet also reveal unique strengths. **In simple terms:** Comparison shows strengths and limits. Key Takeaway Recognize your unique value. Themes comparison self‑assessment humor Mood lighthearted reflective Type philosophical humorous When to use this quote - academic research - career planning - team dynamics - personal growth Key Concepts mythic archetypes cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - What strengths do you possess that differ from peers? - How can you use humor constructively? A Different Perspective Humor may mask deeper insecurities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Professors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professors/) ## Related quotes > [It can be said unequivocally that good teaching is far more complex, difficult, and demanding than mediocre research, which may explain why professors try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/page-smith/it-can-be-said-unequivocally-that-good-teaching-is-far-more-complex/) Page Smith > [William," the professor said, softly, "what now is your weapon?"…"Truth," he whispered, his voice rasping. He cleared his throat. 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I like to wake in the morning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-ellen-harrison/i-like-to-live-spaciously-but-rather-plainly-in-large-halls-with/) [Jane Ellen Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ellen-harrison/) > [“Then Ruskin came. I showed him our small library. He looked at it with disapproving eyes. “ Each book ”, he said gravely, “…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-ellen-harrison/then-ruskin-came-i-showed-him-our-small-library-he-looked-at-it-with/) [Jane Ellen Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ellen-harrison/) > [“Life does not cease when you are old, it only suffers a rich change. You go on loving, only your love, instead of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-ellen-harrison/life-does-not-cease-when-you-are-old-it-only-suffers-a-rich-change/) [Jane Ellen Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ellen-harrison/) > [Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant time. 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Life itself may hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-ellen-harrison/if-i-could-have-my-life-over-again-i-would-devote-it-not-to-art-or/) [Jane Ellen Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ellen-harrison/) [Explore all 17 Jane Ellen Harrison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ellen-harrison/) ## More Professors quotes > [ The young man \[Turgot\] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dickson-white/the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecclesiastical-career-was-placed/) [Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dickson-white/) > [Astrology is knocking at the gates of our universities: A Tübingen professor has switched over to astrology and a course on astrology was given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/astrology-is-knocking-at-the-gates-of-our-universities-a-t-bingen/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [“Like a delicatessen owner who sells rancid meat and then blames his business failure on the vulgarization of customer taste, humanities professors account for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-saul-morson/like-a-delicatessen-owner-who-sells-rancid-meat-and-then-blames-his/) [Gary Saul Morson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-saul-morson/) > [Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. 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