---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How convenient it would be to many of our…"
description: "\"How convenient it would be to many of our great men and great families of doubtful origin, could they have the privilege of the heroes of yore, who, wh..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/washington-irving-1386_convenient_how-convenient-it-would-be-to-many-of-ou_191103.jpg"
---

#  How convenient it would be to many of our great men and…

![“How convenient it would be to many of our great men and great families of doubtful origin, could they have the privilege of the heroes of yore, who, whenever their origin was involved in obscurity, modestly announced themselves descended from a god.” quote by Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/washington-irving-1386_convenient_how-convenient-it-would-be-to-many-of-ou_191103.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/washington-irving-1386_convenient_how-convenient-it-would-be-to-many-of-ou_191103.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a6/washington-irving-1386_convenient_how-convenient-it-would-be-to-many-of-ou_191103.jpg)

> “How convenient it would be to many of our great men and great families of doubtful origin, could they have the privilege of the heroes of yore, who, whenever their origin was involved in obscurity, modestly announced themselves descended from a god.”

[Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often claim noble ancestry to boost status, even when origins are obscure.

**In simple terms:** False lineage claims boost ego.

Key Takeaway

Question claims of noble descent.

Themes

identity pride history

Mood

critical reflective

Type

historical philosophical

When to use this quote

- family reunions
- political speeches
- historical research
- personal branding

Key Concepts

genealogy social status myth‑making

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we need heroic ancestors?
- How does this affect self‑worth?

A Different Perspective

May ignore genuine achievements.

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[Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Great men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-men/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Obscurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscurity/) [Privilege](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privilege/)

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