--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew I'd always be a second-rate…" description: "\"I knew I'd always be a second-rate academic, and I thought, 'Well, I'd rather be a second-rate novelist or even a third-rate one'.\" — Sarah Waters" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e04/sarah-waters-2758_academic_i-knew-i-d-always-be-a-second-rate-acade_2590517.png" --- # I knew I'd always be a second-rate academic, and I… ![“I knew I'd always be a second-rate academic, and I thought, 'Well, I'd rather be a second-rate novelist or even a third-rate one'.” quote by Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e04/sarah-waters-2758_academic_i-knew-i-d-always-be-a-second-rate-acade_2590517.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e04/sarah-waters-2758_academic_i-knew-i-d-always-be-a-second-rate-acade_2590517.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e04/sarah-waters-2758_academic_i-knew-i-d-always-be-a-second-rate-acade_2590517.png) > “I knew I'd always be a second-rate academic, and I thought, 'Well, I'd rather be a second-rate novelist or even a third-rate one'.” [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She prefers being modestly successful in a creative field over being mediocre in academia. **In simple terms:** Choosing modest success in art over academia. Key Takeaway Embrace creative modesty. Themes self‑acceptance career choice creativity Mood reflective determined Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - writing career - academic path - personal fulfillment Key Concepts identity self‑worth Questions to Reflect On - What creative pursuit would you choose over a secure job? - How does modest ambition affect happiness? A Different Perspective May limit financial stability and recognition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Academic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/academic/) [Novelist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelist/) [Second rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-rate/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [I knew Id always be a second-rate academic, and I thought, Well, Id rather be a second-rate novelist or even a third-rate one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/i-knew-id-always-be-a-second-rate-academic-and-i-thought-well-id/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) > [“I never thought I'd get a second chance at a first time with you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-andrews/i-never-thought-i-d-get-a-second-chance-at-a-first-time-with-you/) [Amy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-andrews/) > [I thought my second record was good, but it didn't have that smash hit we did on the first one that somehow found its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-kearney/i-thought-my-second-record-was-good-but-it-didn-t-have-that-smash-hit/) [Mat Kearney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-kearney/) > [“Somehow, things never are so good when they're thought out a second time. 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