Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotations on Mediocrity

Once you free yourself from the need for perfect acceptance, it’s a lot easier to launch work that matters.
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

There is a mean in everything.—Even virtue itself hath its stated limits, which, not being strictly observed, it ceases to be virtue.
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet

‘Good enough’ stopped being good enough a long time ago. so why not be great?
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

You can raise the bar or you can wait for others to raise it, but it’s getting raised regardless.
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer

Little things affect little minds.
Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State

The world is a republic of mediocrities, and always was.
Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist

In our desire to please everyone, it’s very easy to end up being invisible or mediocre.
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

One would like to be grand and heroic, if one could; but if not, why try at all? One wants to be very something, very great, very heroic; or if not that, then at least very stylish and very fashionable. It is this everlasting mediocrity that bores me.
Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–96) American Abolitionist, Author

In the republic of mediocrity, genius is dangerous.
Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic

They are good furniture pictures, unworthy of praise, and undeserving of blame.
John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic

It is mediocrity which makes laws and sets mantraps and spring-guns in the realm of free song, saying thus far shalt thou go and no further.
James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic

The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth, and, at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them.
Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher

The highest order of mind is accused of folly, as well as the lowest. Nothing is thoroughly approved but mediocrity. The majority has established this, and it fixes its fangs on whatever gets beyond it either way.
Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian

We meet with few utterly dull and stupid souls; the sublime and transcendent are still fewer; the generality of mankind stand between these two extremes; the interval is filled with multitudes of ordinary geniuses, but all very useful, the ornaments and supports of the commonwealth: these produce the agreeable and the profitable, and are conversant in commerce, finances, war, navigation, arts, trades, society, and conversation.
Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author

Persevering mediocrity is much more respectable, and unspeakably more useful, than talented inconstancy.
James Hamilton (1814–67) Scottish Protestant Minister

Take back the beauty and wit you bestow upon me; leave me my own mediocrity of agreeableness and genius, but leave me also my sincerity, my constancy, and my plain dealing; ’tis all I have to recommend me to the esteem either of others or myself.
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer

The best pedigree in the world won’t sell a lame race horse.
Unknown

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.
Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist

When small men attempt great enterprises, they always end by reducing them to the level of their mediocrity.
Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France

Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else’s hands, but not you.
Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker

Minds of moderate caliber ordinarily condemn everything which is beyond their range.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer

It’s uncomfortable to challenge the status quo.
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

Only mediocrity can be trusted to be always at its best.
Max Beerbohm (1872–1956) British Essayist, Caricaturist, Novelist

Successful people are the ones who are breaking the rules.
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

Mediocrity requires aloofness to preserve its dignity.
Charles G. Dawes (1865–1951) American Diplomat, Politician

A man trying to sell a blind horse always praises its feet.
German Proverb

The reason they want you to fit in… is that once you do, then they can ignore you.
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

Mediocrity can talk; but it is for genius to observe.
Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat

The status quo is leaving the building, and quickly.
Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur

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