--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man has made great progress in cunning…" description: "\"A man has made great progress in cunning when he does not seem too clever to others.\" — Jean de la Bruyere" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_clever_a-man-has-made-great-progress-in-cunning_2926466.png" --- # A man has made great progress in cunning when he does not… ![“A man has made great progress in cunning when he does not seem too clever to others.” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_clever_a-man-has-made-great-progress-in-cunning_2926466.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_clever_a-man-has-made-great-progress-in-cunning_2926466.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_clever_a-man-has-made-great-progress-in-cunning_2926466.png) > “A man has made great progress in cunning when he does not seem too clever to others.” [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cunning is most effective when it appears natural and unassuming, allowing one to influence without detection. **In simple terms:** Subtle cleverness works best. Key Takeaway Practice understated intelligence. Themes strategy humility influence Mood reflective strategic Type literary advice When to use this quote - leadership - negotiation - political maneuvering Key Concepts social dynamics psychology Questions to Reflect On - When have you succeeded by being low‑key? - How can humility mask strategic intent? A Different Perspective Risk of being perceived as manipulative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clever/) [Cunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cunning/) [Cunning Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cunning-does-4291059/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Great progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-progress/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Man Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-great/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Progress Cunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress-cunning-4291058/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Truth and lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-and-lies/) ## Related quotes > [Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life; cunning is a kind of instinct, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/discretion-is-the-perfection-of-reason-and-a-guide-to-us-in-all-the-2/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Cunning is none of the best nor worst qualities; it floats between virtue and vice; there is scarce any exigence where it may not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/cunning-is-none-of-the-best-nor-worst-qualities-it-floats-between/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Amongst such as out of cunning hear all and talk little, be sure to talk less; or if you must talk, say little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/amongst-such-as-out-of-cunning-hear-all-and-talk-little-be-sure-to/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [I was encouraged to hear that GM has made great progress on the hydrogen car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-wynn/i-was-encouraged-to-hear-that-gm-has-made-great-progress-on-the/) [Albert Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-wynn/) > [While we have made great progress in increasing funding for veterans' benefits, we still have a long way to go in fully meeting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-kelly/while-we-have-made-great-progress-in-increasing-funding-for-veterans/) [Sue Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-kelly/) > [Remember that progress is not linear either. 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