A man of great common sense and good taste -- meaning thereby a man without originality or moral courage.

Summary

This quote implies that someone who possesses common sense and good taste tends to lack originality or moral courage. It suggests that being sensible and tasteful may often result in conformity and a reluctance to stray from societal norms. The quote questions whether these traits are enough to truly embody greatness, implying that true greatness requires the ability to think independently and stand up for what is morally right, even if it means defying convention or facing criticism.