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Can do Quote by Nevil Shute

“It has been said that an engineer is a man who can do for ten shillings what any fool can do for a pound; if that be so, we were certainly engineers.” quote by Nevil Shute
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“It has been said that an engineer is a man who can do for ten shillings what any fool can do for a pound; if that be so, we were certainly engineers.”

Nevil Shute

About This Quote

Source Novel: No Highway, 1948

Engineers achieve more with less resources, highlighting ingenuity; the statement humorously elevates engineers above others.

In simple terms: Engineers do more with less money, showing cleverness.

Key Takeaway

Value efficiency and ingenuity.

Themes

engineering efficiency resourcefulness humor

Mood

pragmatic lighthearted

Type

quotational inspirational

When to use this quote

  • project management
  • budget planning
  • product design
  • startup culture

Key Concepts

economics innovation skill

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we apply engineering efficiency elsewhere?
  • What are the limits of cost‑saving tricks?
A Different Perspective

The comparison may undervalue non‑engineer contributions.

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