What is true greatness?

And yet what precisely is this 'greatness'? Just where, or in what, does it lie? I am quite aware it would take a far wiser head than mine to answer such a question, but
if I were forced to hazard a guess, I would say that it· is the very lack of obvious
drama or spectacle that sets the beauty of our land apart. What is pertinent is the
calmness of that beauty, its sense of restraint. It is as though the land knows of its
own beauty, of its own greatness, and feels no need to shout it. In comparison, the
sorts of sights offered in such places as Africa and America, though undoubtedly
very exciting, would, I am sure, strike the objective viewer as inferior on account
of their unseemly demonstrativeness.  (Ishiguro 28-29)

Stevens continues to use the land of England to describe to the reader just what "greatness" really is.  He states that he himself does not know exactly what "greatness" is.  He makes a "hazardous" guess about what true "greatness" really is. This uses the word "hazardous" to imply that it takes a great person to know what true greatness is and anyone else would be extremely incorrect. Stevens does this because his own description of greatness is modesty of beauty. If he were to think himself as "great" it would be contradicting his own belief.    

In addition, Stevens is implying that he himself is great.  He conveys the belief that greatness is not loud, it is subtle and hidden.  This coincides with his own traits as a butler.  Stevens is a very content and simple butler and so he similar to the beauty of the land.  Although he doesn't say anything about his greatness as a butler, he is implying that he is a truly great butler.