"When I got to Princeton I made a point of attending the Philosophy Club and listening to the lectures, but I didn't get involved in any discussions in those clubs. I guess after the first year, I dropped that"

Stephen Cole Kleene's quote suggests that he was interested in approach when he initially reached Princeton, however he was not confident sufficient to take part in the conversations. He was content to simply listen to the lectures and soak up the information. After the very first year, he likely felt that he had found out enough and decided to focus his attention somewhere else. This might be interpreted as an indication of his humility and respect for the understanding of others. He was willing to gain from those around him, however he was not willing to enforce his own opinions on the group. This quote also speaks to the value of listening and learning prior to speaking. It is necessary to make the effort to understand a subject prior to taking part in a conversation.