--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [Janco] paused. His eyes held a distant…" description: "\"[Janco] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing into his past. 'My first practice was a shock. I was a cocky smart aleck--' [Opal] 'Was?' [J..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/maria-v-snyder-1261_cocky_janco-paused-his-eyes-held-a-distant-gle_3082585.png" --- # \[Janco\] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing… ![“[Janco] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing into his past. 'My first practice was a shock. I was a cocky smart aleck--' [Opal] 'Was?' [J] 'Be quiet. I'm telling a story here.” quote by Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/maria-v-snyder-1261_cocky_janco-paused-his-eyes-held-a-distant-gle_3082585.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/maria-v-snyder-1261_cocky_janco-paused-his-eyes-held-a-distant-gle_3082585.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/maria-v-snyder-1261_cocky_janco-paused-his-eyes-held-a-distant-gle_3082585.png) > “\[Janco\] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing into his past. 'My first practice was a shock. I was a cocky smart aleck--' \[Opal\] 'Was?' \[J\] 'Be quiet. I'm telling a story here.” [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character reflects on a youthful, reckless start to a practice, hinting at growth and the need for focus amid storytelling. **In simple terms:** A brash beginning to a craft that later matures. Key Takeaway Recognize early arrogance and seek humility. Themes growth humility storytelling self‑reflection Mood introspective thoughtful Type narrative personal When to use this quote - starting a new skill - teaching - creative writing - personal memoir Key Concepts personal development learning curve narrative voice Questions to Reflect On - How did early confidence shape your path? - What does quieting oneself achieve? A Different Perspective The fragment lacks context, making its lesson vague. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cocky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cocky/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Gleam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gleam/) [His eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his-eyes/) [Janco Paused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/janco-paused-5264384/) [Opal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opal/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-practice-5264387/) [Paused Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paused-eyes-5264388/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Practice Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice-shock-5264385/) [Quiet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quiet/) [Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock/) [Shock Cocky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock-cocky-5264386/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Smart aleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart-aleck/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Telling A Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-a-story/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Liberals are some of the most arrogant, condescending smart alecks, but they're just pure ignorant, and they fit the bill of people who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/liberals-are-some-of-the-most-arrogant-condescending-smart-alecks-but/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [When it comes to understanding the nuts and bolts of the details of any policy, the elites haven't the slightest idea. I'm sure you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/when-it-comes-to-understanding-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-the-details-of/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I like my smart-aleck self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-vinatieri/i-like-my-smart-aleck-self/) [Adam Vinatieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-vinatieri/) > [“I don’t recall either of you asking me, you know I’m a lady and I need to be asked and agree to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-kelly/i-don-t-recall-either-of-you-asking-me-you-know-i-m-a-lady-and-i-need/) [Amanda Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-kelly/) > [Basically, I have two speeds… Hostile or smart-aleck. Your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/basically-i-have-two-speeds-hostile-or-smart-aleck-your-choice/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“I was serious when I said I was paying,” I say, stealing the ticket from Darren. He opens his mouth to respond, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-rae/i-was-serious-when-i-said-i-was-paying-i-say-stealing-the-ticket-from/) [Kristin Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-rae/) > [“I had authority issues. In my defense, my math teacher had it coming. She’d made me write one hundred on the black board, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-evangelista/i-had-authority-issues-in-my-defense-my-math-teacher-had-it-coming/) [Kate Evangelista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-evangelista/) > [If I lived in the Wild West days, instead of carrying a six-gun in my holster, I'd carry a soldering iron. That was if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/if-i-lived-in-the-wild-west-days-instead-of-carrying-a-six-gun-in-my/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“Because it was enough for one of those favorites of His Distinguished Highness to issue a thoughtless decree. These young smart alecks see it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryszard-kapuscinski/because-it-was-enough-for-one-of-those-favorites-of-his-distinguished/) [Ryszard Kapuściński](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryszard-kapuscinski/) > [“How did you turn out so amazing, when she's so...so...so not amazing." "Because she and I don't share a single ounce of DNA?" "Smart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-sunseri/how-did-you-turn-out-so-amazing-when-she-s-so-so-so-not-amazing/) [Heather Sunseri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-sunseri/) > [I've never progressed very far from my days as a smart aleck in middle school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hiaasen/i-ve-never-progressed-very-far-from-my-days-as-a-smart-aleck-in/) [Carl Hiaasen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hiaasen/) > [I blame Jeb for letting you be such a smart aleck.” I stared at her. “I blame you for altering my DNA! I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-blame-jeb-for-letting-you-be-such-a-smart-aleck-i-stared-at-her-i/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Hmph," said Sharon . "Did you know that the numbers three and seven are sacred to vampires? There are seven vampire sects." "Seven sacred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bardsley/hmph-said-sharon-did-you-know-that-the-numbers-three-and-seven-are/) [Michele Bardsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bardsley/) > [I reckon I am a smart aleck, but it is just a way to pass the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-penn-warren/i-reckon-i-am-a-smart-aleck-but-it-is-just-a-way-to-pass-the-time/) [Robert Penn Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-penn-warren/) > [ “\[Mr. Principi\] "My question to you, class, is our species crawling toward re-enlightenment or limping toward extinction?" The smart aleck behind me. . .… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-j-kirk/mr-principi-my-question-to-you-class-is-our-species-crawling-toward/) [David J. Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-j-kirk/) ## More by Maria V. Snyder > [Yelena.” I halted in the doorway, looking back over my shoulder. “You once said I wasn’t ready to believe your reason for killing Reyad.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/yelena-i-halted-in-the-doorway-looking-back-over-my-shoulder-you-once/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [We are searching for the same thing,” Stripey said. “How do you know?” Janco asked. “I read his mind.” The Sitian pointed to Ari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-are-searching-for-the-same-thing-stripey-said-how-do-you-know/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you." Valek's warm breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/yelena-you-ve-driven-me-crazy-you-ve-caused-me-considerable-trouble/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [I do know I felt as if my heart had been shredded when I found you in our storeroom, unconscious and bleeding. And leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/i-do-know-i-felt-as-if-my-heart-had-been-shredded-when-i-found-you-in/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“My future appeared to be a long twisted road fraught with knots, tangles, and traps. Just the way I liked it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/my-future-appeared-to-be-a-long-twisted-road-fraught-with-knots/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/there-s-always-another-storm-it-s-the-way-the-world-works-snowstorms/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Yippee. I’ve been promoted from fire lighter to delivery boy. I’ll write a letter home to Mother. She’ll be so pleased.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/yippee-i-ve-been-promoted-from-fire-lighter-to-delivery-boy-i-ll/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Don't feel ashamed for having those feelings and those memories. What happened in the past can't be changed, but they can be a guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/don-t-feel-ashamed-for-having-those-feelings-and-those-memories-what/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No confusion here. No worries here. No troubles here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/i-took-three-steps-and-was-wrapped-in-his-arms-where-i-belonged-no/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Valek smiled. “Good. First, send Kade a reply, asking him not to come.” He pointed at the unopened letter on the table. I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/valek-smiled-good-first-send-kade-a-reply-asking-him-not-to-come-he/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Oh, you made an impression. Like a stone caught in my boot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/oh-you-made-an-impression-like-a-stone-caught-in-my-boot/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Interesting how life goes on in spite of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/interesting-how-life-goes-on-in-spite-of-itself/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [We talked through Gillie's life from start to finish, including all her accomplishments and major life events. The woman fell asleep with a dreamy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-talked-through-gillie-s-life-from-start-to-finish-including-all/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [In the war room, love? What if someone comes in?” I stood and removed his shirt. “Then they’ll have a good story to tell.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/in-the-war-room-love-what-if-someone-comes-in-i-stood-and-removed-his/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Can you feel your pulse? That means Valek isn’t here, because if he was, you’d be dead. No pulse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/can-you-feel-your-pulse-that-means-valek-isn-t-here-because-if-he-was/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) [Explore all 258 Maria V. Snyder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) ## More Cocky quotes > [“I like seeing sexy chicks whoop the cocky off guys like Turner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-stunich/i-like-seeing-sexy-chicks-whoop-the-cocky-off-guys-like-turner/) [C.M. Stunich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-m-stunich/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Before, when I was 19-0, I was undefeated and I was 23, 24 years old. Yeah, I was cocky, I had a little bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-sanchez/before-when-i-was-19-0-i-was-undefeated-and-i-was-23-24-years-old/) [Diego Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-sanchez/) > [She say I'm cocky, I say that's not me. She call me papi and I say ven aqui.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meek-mill/she-say-i-m-cocky-i-say-that-s-not-me-she-call-me-papi-and-i-say-ven/) [Meek Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meek-mill/) > [I don't know how to fix a car. If the car breaks down, and the gas tank does not say "E", I'm screwed. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-know-how-to-fix-a-car-if-the-car-breaks-down-and-the-gas-tank/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Haters call me 'gay,' but their girlfriends want me more than them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/haters-call-me-gay-but-their-girlfriends-want-me-more-than-them/) [Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/) > [I hope I don't come off as being cocky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-zahara-benet/i-hope-i-don-t-come-off-as-being-cocky/) [BeBe Zahara Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-zahara-benet/) > [If yuu lyk wat yuu see thn y don yuu tke a picture,,, it'll last longr???](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-evans/if-yuu-lyk-wat-yuu-see-thn-y-don-yuu-tke-a-picture-it-ll-last-longr/) [Carolyn Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-evans/) > [And then the industry itself was so cocky about what they were doing that they weren't seeing what was coming on the horizon with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-maraniss/and-then-the-industry-itself-was-so-cocky-about-what-they-were-doing/) [David Maraniss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-maraniss/) > [I'm COCKY and I know it.!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-lopez/i-m-cocky-and-i-know-it/) [Michelle Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-lopez/) > [“As cocky as this sounds, I knew I could walk onto that campus and get a date with the nearest available girl. Probably even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-lynn/as-cocky-as-this-sounds-i-knew-i-could-walk-onto-that-campus-and-get/) [J. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-lynn/) > [I'd rather be cocky than insecure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-d-rather-be-cocky-than-insecure/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The thing about people from Chicago and the Northwest suburbs is that they're very cocky. I think that serves us well in the show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-chandrasekhar/the-thing-about-people-from-chicago-and-the-northwest-suburbs-is-that/) [Jay Chandrasekhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-chandrasekhar/) > [Me: Breathe if you find me attractive Entire human race: \*dies from lack of oxygen\*](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmin-thomason/me-breathe-if-you-find-me-attractive-entire-human-race-dies-from-lack/) [Jazmin Thomason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmin-thomason/) > [I don't mean to be cocky, but if I'm never on TV again, if I never make another dollar, I am proud. I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-don-t-mean-to-be-cocky-but-if-i-m-never-on-tv-again-if-i-never-make/) [Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/) [Browse all 536 Cocky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cocky/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "[Janco] paused. 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