--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think of myself as an engineer, not as…" description: "\"I think of myself as an engineer, not as a visionary or 'big thinker.' I don't have any lofty goals.\" — Linus Torvalds" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/591/linus-torvalds-1512_big_i-think-of-myself-as-an-engineer-not-as_3012561.jpg" --- # I think of myself as an engineer, not as a visionary or… ![“I think of myself as an engineer, not as a visionary or 'big thinker.' I don't have any lofty goals.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/591/linus-torvalds-1512_big_i-think-of-myself-as-an-engineer-not-as_3012561.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/591/linus-torvalds-1512_big_i-think-of-myself-as-an-engineer-not-as_3012561.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/591/linus-torvalds-1512_big_i-think-of-myself-as-an-engineer-not-as_3012561.jpg) > “I think of myself as an engineer, not as a visionary or 'big thinker.' I don't have any lofty goals.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identifying as an engineer emphasizes practical work over lofty visions. **In simple terms:** He sees himself as a practical engineer. Key Takeaway Focus on concrete problem solving. Themes engineering humility pragmatism Mood pragmatic self‑aware Type technical philosophical When to use this quote - product design - code reviews - project management Key Concepts software development technical craftsmanship realism Questions to Reflect On - How does humility affect innovation? - When is big‑picture thinking needed? A Different Perspective Visionary thinking can inspire breakthroughs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Lofty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lofty/) [Thinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinker/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Visionaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visionaries/) ## Related quotes > [I think an engineer has not matured until he or she has conceived of a product and participated in every stage of bringing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-cooper/i-think-an-engineer-has-not-matured-until-he-or-she-has-conceived-of/) [Martin Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-cooper/) > [“It's the only job I can think of where I get to be both an engineer and an artist. 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Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. 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