Who said “It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as…”?

Misattributed

Not Doris Lessing. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to Doris Lessing; no source in their known works.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important.”
MisattributedListed as misattributed to Doris Lessing; no source in their known works. · evidencePriorities

Cite this quote

APA

“It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important.” [Quotation attributed to Doris Lessing]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34420-it-is-the-mark-of-great-people-to/

MLA

“It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important.” Attributed to Doris Lessing. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34420-it-is-the-mark-of-great-people-to/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important.” Attributed to Doris Lessing. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34420-it-is-the-mark-of-great-people-to/.