Clean code nitpickers mistake the map for the territory. The rules are the map, maintainability is the territory. The map is a model of the territory, but the territory always contains more detail, both zones of maintainability not covered by the rules and zones of unmaintainability covered by the rules. The rules are heuristics, and like all heuristics, they have false positives and false negatives. Being a mature developer means knowing the limits of tools including processes, style, and standards. When they nit to the rules and not to the goal, it doesn't contribute, it distracts.