"Not the least" means?

Question

Can somebody please professionally explain the meaning of "not the least?"

This passage is confusing: Not the leastof its virtues is that it destroys base people as certainly as it fortifies and dignifies noble people.

Preface to Major Barbara by George Bernard Shaw

Answer 1

"not least" in this case is an example of a figure of speech called "litotes".

Litotes is a form of speech in which you make a point by using the negative of the OPPOSITE form.

For example

- "no small feat" emphasizes that it is, on the contrary quite a LARGE feat.

- "not insignificant factor" suggests it is quite significant, and ought to be taken very seriously

- "not the best example" implies it is quite a BAD example

- "not the kindest thing to do" is used to criticize someone for doing something very un-kind


This type of expression may be used to be (or seem) modest OR to EMPHASIZE the point ("no small feat" is usually STRONGER than "a great feat"). It may also be used to express IRONY, when what you're talking about is not the way you would expect it to be. It may, in fact, be quite a SURPRISE.

So, in the example you give from Shaw, he is suggesting that what he is about to mention is not simply "not the least" but is among if not THE GREATEST of its virtues.

Your specific example is a bit like the common expression "last but not least. . . " People MAY use this expression to make clear that, even though they are listing something (or someone) last, that does not mean the thing/person is the least important. In fact, it may mean (and in its original use probably did) that the thing/person named is among the MOST important, and may even be THE most important. (Compare, "saving the best for last.")

One reason for this expresssion is probably the fact that it is not unusual [another litotes, meaning "it is quite usual/common"] for us to list the most important thing LAST. But since we may ALSO START with the most important, people may want to make it clear that is not what they are doing.


More on "litotes"
http://www.sil.org/linguistics/glossaryoflinguisticterms/WhatIsLitotes.htm
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/litotes
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/litotes.html

Answer 2

What a wonderful question. Religion is, of course, the form that one's worship takes. Thus there are thousands of forms. Religion includes a system of religious beliefs and practices. The object of the religion may be false gods or the true God. Hence, there is false religion and there is true. Religion can get very fancy or remain simple. In the former case, such as it is today. In the latter case, such as it was in the Garden of Eden. What then is worship to me? How do I worship? To worship means to obey. And to obey means to worship. The two are intimately connected; indeed, they are coterminous and cannot be separated. Specifically, to obey the Sovereign Lord God Jehovah of Armies is to worship Him. I do my imperfect best in this regard. I fall on my face and get back up to try and try again. In the Garden of Eden, so long as they obeyed Jehovah, Adam and Eve were worshiping him. No temple, no Mosaic Law, no meetings. Simply leave the tree of the knowledge of good and bad alone. Simple. The minute they disobeyed, they stopped worshiping Jehovah. Same with the nation of Israel. The minute they attempted to practice a syncretistic religion they stopped worshiping Jehovah. The minute they made the golden calf, they stopped. And on and on. To worship is to obey. To obey is to worship. Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

"Not the least", could refer to anyone who doesn't stand out. "The last, but not the least." Would refer to someone still in the running, for something. Basically, "not the least" means mediocre. Somewhere in the middle. When people compete, there's always the upper echelon, the mid-range and the losers. "Not the least" applies to mid-range. They might be the least in further competitions.

Answer 4

To me, it means "it has many virtues." This one being better than the least of all the virtues. Or higher than the least virtue.

Answer 5

'Not the smallest' could usually replace 'not the least' and give the same meaning.
I think it also carries a meaning of one among many. Not the worst, yet not the smallest either.

Answer 6

Try substituting" because".. It means it's the "lesser"l iterally, but you have to be old and well read to get it.