This quote speaks to the idea that ancient masters or leaders who were known for their excellence had an intricate and subtle essence, suggesting that their greatness was not immediately noticeable or ostentatious. It was nuanced, complex, and required a deeper understanding to fully appreciate. The depth that was too profound to comprehend implies that their wisdom, knowledge, and skills were so vast and deep that they were beyond ordinary comprehension. They were not simply skilled at what they did; they had a profound understanding and knowledge that set them apart.

In the context of personal development, this quote could be seen as encouraging individuals to strive for a depth of understanding and subtlety in their skills and knowledge rather than seeking to show off or make their abilities immediately apparent. It suggests that true mastery requires a depth of understanding that is not readily comprehensible to others.

In today’s world, this could apply to any field or endeavor. For instance, in a professional context, it may not be the person who is the most vocal or outwardly confident who is the most skilled or knowledgeable. Instead, it could be someone who quietly and subtly demonstrates their expertise, whose depth of understanding is so profound that it’s not immediately comprehensible.

Moreover, this quote could also be a reminder to not underestimate people based on surface-level observations. It encourages us to look deeper, to seek to understand the nuances and subtleties that make up a person’s character or skill set. It’s a call to value depth over superficiality, subtlety over ostentation, and to recognize that true excellence often lies beneath the surface, in the profound depths that are not immediately visible or comprehensible.