Most of our pocket wisdom is conceived for the use of mediocre people to discourage them from ambitious attempts and generally console them in their mediocrity.

Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.

Perseverance - a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.

Anyone could be in the orchestra or sports team or arts club at my school. It was precisely the kind of inclusivity that now meets with a sort of scorn and derision as a prizes-for-all culture that generates only mediocrity. There's something so insulting about the idea that including lots of people means mediocrity.

The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind.

There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured such as poetry music painting public speaking.

Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.

Anyone in the humor business isn't thinking clearly if he doesn't surround himself with idea people. Otherwise you settle for mediocrity - or you burn yourself out.

When small men attempt great enterprises they always end by reducing them to the level of their mediocrity.

All good is hard. All evil is easy. Dying losing cheating and mediocrity is easy. Stay away from easy.