--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That an author takes a bow is not…" description: "\"That an author takes a bow is not humility but presumption. What does the paleface want on the stage afterwards? But before the performance he had even..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/karl-kraus-1128_actors_that-an-author-takes-a-bow-is-not-humili_414349.png" --- # That an author takes a bow is not humility but… ![“That an author takes a bow is not humility but presumption. What does the paleface want on the stage afterwards? But before the performance he had even less business there--and paying him royalties is equivalent to cheating the actors.” quote by Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/karl-kraus-1128_actors_that-an-author-takes-a-bow-is-not-humili_414349.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/karl-kraus-1128_actors_that-an-author-takes-a-bow-is-not-humili_414349.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/karl-kraus-1128_actors_that-an-author-takes-a-bow-is-not-humili_414349.png) > “That an author takes a bow is not humility but presumption. What does the paleface want on the stage afterwards? But before the performance he had even less business there--and paying him royalties is equivalent to cheating the actors.” [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A bow after a performance is mistaken for humility, but it reveals ego and exploitation. **In simple terms:** Bow shows ego, not humility. Key Takeaway Question the motives behind public displays. Themes ego humility exploitation Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - stage performance - public perception - artist compensation Key Concepts theatre criticism social commentary Questions to Reflect On - What drives performers to seek applause? - How does audience perception shape artistic value? A Different Perspective Audience may misinterpret self‑promotion as modesty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Cheating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheating/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Presumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presumption/) [Royalty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royalty/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Just as lavishness leads easily to presumption, so does frugality to meanness. 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