--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Firstly,” Jackaby said with a sigh, “a…" description: "\"“Firstly,” Jackaby said with a sigh, “a ‘proper detective’ is about the last thing a good detective wants to look like, most of the time.”\" — William R..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/william-ritter-13116_time_firstly-jackaby-said-with-a-sigh-a-prope_1927203.jpg" --- # Firstly,” Jackaby said with a sigh, “a ‘proper detective’… ![“Firstly,” Jackaby said with a sigh, “a ‘proper detective’ is about the last thing a good detective wants to look like, most of the time.” quote by William Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/william-ritter-13116_time_firstly-jackaby-said-with-a-sigh-a-prope_1927203.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/william-ritter-13116_time_firstly-jackaby-said-with-a-sigh-a-prope_1927203.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/william-ritter-13116_time_firstly-jackaby-said-with-a-sigh-a-prope_1927203.jpg) > ““Firstly,” Jackaby said with a sigh, “a ‘proper detective’ is about the last thing a good detective wants to look like, most of the time.”” [William Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ritter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A good detective should not appear overly proper; authenticity and humility are more valuable than a polished façade. **In simple terms:** Detectives should stay genuine, not overly formal. Key Takeaway Embrace authenticity in professional roles. Themes authenticity professionalism humility identity detective work Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - career development - team dynamics - client interactions - self-presentation Key Concepts psychology social perception role theory Questions to Reflect On - How does appearance affect trust? - When is formality appropriate? 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They like to imagine tense conversations going on behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-aaronovitch/the-general-public-have-a-warped-view-of-the-speed-at-which-an/) [Ben Aaronovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-aaronovitch/) > [“When I saw the Twilight movies I thought being a Vampyre was so romantic. 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"Do you really think he'll let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ritter/do-you-really-think-he-ll-still-help-you-if-you-murder-me-i-said/) [William Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ritter/) > [“The only paths you can’t travel are the ones you block yourself—so don’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ritter/the-only-paths-you-can-t-travel-are-the-ones-you-block-yourself-so/) [William Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ritter/) > [“I don’t need to understand someone to respect them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ritter/i-don-t-need-to-understand-someone-to-respect-them/) [William Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ritter/) > [“That will suffice," Jackaby grumbled loudly from behind me. "Yes, yes. You are young and your love is a hot biscuit and other abysmally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ritter/that-will-suffice-jackaby-grumbled-loudly-from-behind-me-yes-yes-you/) [William Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ritter/) [Explore all 51 William Ritter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ritter/) ## More Detective quotes > [“When I saw the Twilight movies I thought being a Vampyre was so romantic. When my friends decided to be Vampyres it was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abramelin-keldor/when-i-saw-the-twilight-movies-i-thought-being-a-vampyre-was-so/) [Abramelin Keldor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abramelin-keldor/) > [The general public have a warped view of the speed at which an investigation proceeds. They like to imagine tense conversations going on behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-aaronovitch/the-general-public-have-a-warped-view-of-the-speed-at-which-an/) [Ben Aaronovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-aaronovitch/) > [“Stomach full of jitters, little beasts that were second cousins to guacamolians—little green monsters that wreaked havoc in your stomach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kely-mcclung/stomach-full-of-jitters-little-beasts-that-were-second-cousins-to/) [William Kely McClung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kely-mcclung/) > [I read a lot of 'Nancy Drew' books as a kid and considered myself a bit of an amateur detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-cain/i-read-a-lot-of-nancy-drew-books-as-a-kid-and-considered-myself-a-bit/) [Chelsea Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-cain/) > [It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. 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