a man does not give his life to the study of a single limited subject for nothing, and the moment we come across a first-class expert we begin to take a pride in his superiority.
 Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., The Poet at the Breakfast-Table (1872). copy citation

Context

“He felt the absurdity of his discomfiture, for he turned to me good-naturedly, and said, “Poor Johnny Raw! What madness could impel So rum a flat to face so prime a swell?” To tell the truth, I rather think the Master enjoyed his own defeat. The Scarabee had a right to his victory; a man does not give his life to the study of a single limited subject for nothing, and the moment we come across a first-class expert we begin to take a pride in his superiority. It cannot offend us, who have no right at all to be his match on his own ground. Besides, there is a very curious sense of satisfaction in getting a fair chance to sneer at ourselves and scoff at our own pretensions.” source