Miss Maudie says, “people in their right minds never take pride in their talents.” What does this quote from To Kill a Mockingbird mean?...

Miss Maudie says these words after Atticus puts down the rabid
dog. Scout and Jem are shocked that their father is the best shot in town. They also learn of his
nickname - "One shot Finch." The children wonder why they never knew of Atticus's ability to
shoot.

Miss Maudie gives them the answer. Atticus is a modest and
humble man. Moreover, good people do not boast. Finally, the ability to shot, according to Miss
Maudie is different than other talents. Since shooting involves death, it should only be used
when there is a necessity. Up to this point, there was no necessity. This is part of the reason
why Scout and Jem did not know about their father's ability to shoot.

“Maybe I can tell
you,” said Miss Maudie. “If your father’s anything, he’s civilized in his heart. Marksmanship’s a
gift of God, a talent—oh, you have to practice to make it perfect, but shootin’s different from
playing the piano or the like. I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had
given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till
he had to, and he had to today.”

“Looks like he’d be proud of it,” I
said.

“People in their right minds never take pride in their
talents,” said Miss Maudie.