Excellence is nothing but an intolerance for mediocrity

Mediocrity has nothing to do with how you compare to other people; it’s simply a result of not making the commitment to continuously learn, grow, and improve yourself.

The James Hills and J.P. Morgans are an affront to a society dedicated to the worship of mediocrity.

To be authentically modern is, in each and every age, a sign of mediocrity.

Whoever claims any right that he is unwilling to accord to his fellow-men is dishonest and infamous.

A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.

People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how great their other talents.

People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.

I call every man intolerant from principle, who conceives no man can be a man of virtue and probity, who does not believe exactly what he does, and unmercifully consigns to perdition all those who do not think like himself.

On Providence

We should not be immeasurably satisfied with the qualities of a mediocre person, but we should also avoid artificial modesty.

Modesty is a vastly overrated virtue.

...goodness is murdered, mediocrity thrives...

In a society where mediocrity is too often the standard and too often rewarded,” he said, “there is intense fascination with men who detest mediocrity, who refuse to define themselves in conventional terms, and who seek to transcend traditionally recognized human capabilities.

You have one life. Don’t settle for mediocrity.