100 Quotes About Mediocrity

Sometimes we just want to say “I quit!” and walk away from everything we know and love. But even if we do, we can’t escape the fact that we will still be responsible for our own life choices and actions. Sometimes, we just need to face up to the fact that we’re not destined for greatness and accept our own mediocrity. And the collection of best mediocrity quotes below will help you do exactly that.

1
Do you know the hallmark of a second rater? It's resentment of another man's achievement. Those touchy mediocrities who sit trembling lest someone's work prove greater than their own - they have no inkling of the loneliness that comes when you reach the top. The loneliness for an equal - for a mind to respect and an achievement to admire. They bare their teeth at you from out of their rat holes, thinking that you take pleasure in letting your brilliance dim them - while you'd give a year of my life to see a flicker of talent anywhere among them. They envy achievement, and their dream of greatness is a world where all men have become their acknowledged inferiors. They don't know that that dream is the infallible proof of mediocrity, because that sort of world is what the man of achievement would not be able to bear. They have no way of knowing what he feels when surrounded by inferiors - hatred? no, not hatred, but boredom - the terrible, hopeless, draining, paralyzing boredom. Of what account are praise and adulation from men whom you don't respect? Have you ever felt the longing for someone you could admire? For something, not to look down at, but up to?"" I've felt it all my life, " she said. Ayn Rand
2
We don't want to think about our weaknesses. We don't want to talk about them, and we certainly don't want anyone else to point them out. This is a classic sign of mediocrity, and this mediocrity has a firm grip on the Church and humanity at this moment in history. Matthew Kelly
Greatness begins where mediocrity ends.
3
Greatness begins where mediocrity ends. Debasish Mridha
4
Poetry destroyed? Genius banished? No! Mediocrity, no: do not let envy prompt you to the thought. No; they not only live, but reign, and redeem: and without their divine influence spread everywhere, you would be in hell--the hell of your own meanness. Unknown
EpitaphDen Tigern ertrann ich Die Wanzen nährte ich Aufgefressen wurde...
5
EpitaphDen Tigern ertrann ich Die Wanzen nährte ich Aufgefressen wurde ich Von den Mittelmäßigkeiten. Bertolt Brecht
The reason why one man is great and another man...
6
The reason why one man is great and another man is living in mediocrity is simply because one understood the value of time while the other did not. Sunday Adelaja
Those who do not continuously seek knowledge are content to...
7
Those who do not continuously seek knowledge are content to settle for mediocrity. Keith Allan Moore
Get off the treadmill of consumption, replication, and mediocrity. Begin...
8
Get off the treadmill of consumption, replication, and mediocrity. Begin lifting the weights of creativity, originality, and success. Ryan Lilly
I trust that you are aware that today’s success is...
9
I trust that you are aware that today’s success is tomorrow’s mediocrity. This means anything appealing today will be appalling tomorrow. Israelmore Ayivor
To become a better you, admit that you were not...
10
To become a better you, admit that you were not born for the floor. Refuse to embrace mediocrity anytime anywhere. Israelmore Ayivor
11
Often people that settle in life are those that only do what they can with what they have and where they are. Never settle for someone that didn't know your worth from the beginning, or build a life without God in it. Live beyond your low expectations. Shannon L. Alder
As I contemplate a relationship with God, I find that...
12
As I contemplate a relationship with God, I find that I’m afraid to ride on the coattails of the infinite. But what I fear more than that is spending my life in the coat closet. Craig D. Lounsbrough
13
The uncertainties in life are so uncertain for us to determine the kind woe we shall be entangled in in the next future. When you stay dormant, your life is at risk; when you dare to take a step, you take a step to take a risk. We have a choice. Yes! a choice to choose to dare to get to our real reasons on earth or to choose to live in mediocrity and conformity, but, we ought to note that, it is riskier to risk nothing when the life we live is always at risk. . Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
You were born for more than just living in mediocrity...
14
You were born for more than just living in mediocrity and dying after your time here evaporates. Sunday Adelaja
The dividing line between those who will be great and...
15
The dividing line between those who will be great and those who will be mediocre is the amount of time each person converts into added value to himself. Sunday Adelaja
Do not get a job for a living. Rather, get...
16
Do not get a job for a living. Rather, get work Sunday Adelaja
The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning,...
17
The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people. Criss Jami
If we’re honest, what makes something impossible is not our...
18
If we’re honest, what makes something impossible is not our fear. Rather, it is our indifference. Craig D. Lounsbrough
Comfort is not a goal that I seek, rather it...
19
Comfort is not a goal that I seek, rather it is a place that I hide. Craig D. Lounsbrough
We think that boxes take everything that’s bad and they...
20
We think that boxes take everything that’s bad and they lock all that nasty stuff out, when in reality they take everything that we are and they lock all of those great things in. Craig D. Lounsbrough
21
I might define a ‘journey’ as something that life itself calls me to. And I might then define a ‘trip’ as something I create to avoid a journey by mimicking a journey. And while fear is most certainly part and parcel of both, the latter is emboldened by fear while the former surrenders to it. Craig D. Lounsbrough
By choosing comfort we are in the very same decision...
22
By choosing comfort we are in the very same decision choosing to miss every great thing in life, and that thought should be anything but comforting. Craig D. Lounsbrough
Mediocrity is a path cleared by fear, leveled by apathy...
23
Mediocrity is a path cleared by fear, leveled by apathy and paved by comfort. Craig D. Lounsbrough
Comfort is a stance of avoidance rather than the pursuit...
24
Comfort is a stance of avoidance rather than the pursuit of excellence. Craig D. Lounsbrough
If truth be told, the easy road is nothing more...
25
If truth be told, the easy road is nothing more than an armchair in clever disguise. And if you look around, it seems that there are a whole lot of people in the furniture business. Craig D. Lounsbrough
Step out of the crowd of average people. Enter that...
26
Step out of the crowd of average people. Enter that game and change the values on the scoreboard. Israelmore Ayivor
Sadly, I put my dreams to bed long before they...
27
Sadly, I put my dreams to bed long before they ever had the chance to get tired. Craig D. Lounsbrough
When my vision is numbed by apathy and narrowed by...
28
When my vision is numbed by apathy and narrowed by mediocrity, I can stand in the presence of great things and fail to see even the smallest of things. Craig D. Lounsbrough
Risk is the clue that our dreams are both real...
29
Risk is the clue that our dreams are both real and great. Craig D. Lounsbrough
You know you've reached a new plateau of group mediocrity...
30
You know you've reached a new plateau of group mediocrity when even a Canadian is alarmed by your lack of individuality. Sarah Vowell
Individual talent is an obstruction principally among teams that employ...
31
Individual talent is an obstruction principally among teams that employ the facade of a synergy to diminish the majorities mediocrity. Anthony Corlisatra
Not being impressed by anyone or anything is one of...
32
Not being impressed by anyone or anything is one of the surest paths to a life of mediocrity. Wayne Gerard Trotman
33
I marvel at the placidity of the Utopian who imagines that man is perfectible. There is no denying that the human creature is born selfish, abusive, vile. Just look around you and see. Society cynical and ferocious, the humble heckled and pillaged by the rich traffickers in necessities. Everywhere the triumph of the mediocre and unscrupulous, everywhere the apotheosis of crooked politics and finance. And you think you can make any progress against a stream like that? No, man has never changed. His soul was corrupt in the days of Genesis and is not less rotten at present. Only the form of his sins varies. Progress is the hypocrisy which refines the vices. JorisKarl Huysmans
34
Everyone, either from modesty or egotism, hides away the best and most delicate of his soul’s possessions; to gain the esteem of others, we must only ever show our ugliest sides; this is how we keep ourselves on the common level Gustave Flaubert
35
If you are not going to divorce the status quo, you will give birth to mediocrity. Israelmore Ayivor
36
Leaders don’t fall in love with mediocrity. The status quo isn’t their desire to maintain but to improve. Israelmore Ayivor
37
Leaders do not conform; they reform. If you conform, you are nurturing mediocrity. If you reform, you are breeding change. Israelmore Ayivor
38
In the republic of mediocrity, genius is dangerous. Robert G. Ingersoll
39
He was marked out by his relentless ability to find fault with others' mediocrity--suggesting that a certain type of intelligence may be at heart nothing more or less than a superior capacity for dissatisfaction. Alain De Botton
40
We are not built for mediocrity, but we build it into our lives nonetheless. Craig D. Lounsbrough
41
To become a better you, be diligent and never let the charms of procrastination and excuses seduce you to fall for mediocrity. Israelmore Ayivor
42
He knows how to market himself well. Nowadays, that's all that seems to count. He's rebellious in a way that appeals to people with vain, shallow taste. So of course he manipulates his audiences with the blessing of his recording company and the financial investors behind his brand. Jess C. Scott
43
If you truly have compassion in your heart, show it by keeping your doubts to yourself and sharing your hope with those who love change! Israelmore Ayivor
44
Life without madness is mediocrity. Nelou Keramati
45
For me, to say I yet to begin gives me reasons not to look back and see what I have done but , to look ahead and see, understand and plan for what I am yet to do Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
46
For me, to say that I am yet to begin gives me the real reason not to look back and see what I have done but, to look ahead and see, understand and plan for what I am yet to do Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
47
Question the status quo; rebuke the existing rules, though it may be at the discomfort of the masses. They may however come to a later realization that it was really worth it and you may now have the status quo Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
48
The sub-conscious mind is so powerful in such a way that even if you empty your mind of all its components, there will be a little thought; it is synonymous to a well informed person who can never be deformed. Michael Bassey Johnson
49
Break out to go out___________________ The birds dare to break the egg shell It does so in order to get out of that HellWhen it finally succeeds, it’ll then fly To its comfort zone it’ll say bye Are you being confined in a small space How long will you remain at that place? Before you can explore more territories, Break away from the former glories. Yesterday’s excellence is today’s average You must strive to be better age after age Never accept the available mediocrity As the only preferable opportunity Decide to grow from below to hero And make it a point to vacate level zero Reach out and arise with power God’s blessings on you, will shower Agree to grow, never attempt to be slow Be not afraid. Never doubt. You’ll flow The grace of God will be your guide Taking you along, side by side. . Israelmore Ayivor
50
It is not within my power to refuse the journey of life regardless of the nature of my fears or the depth of my selfishness, for the definitions of ‘journey’ and ‘life’ are indistinguishably synonymous. I can however sufficiently inhibit them and amply fight them to the point that I have accepted the journey, but the journey is now solely defined as my effort to forsake the journey. Craig D. Lounsbrough
51
Monsieur Foinet got up and made as if to go, but he changed his mind, and, stopping, put his hand on Philip's shoulder." But if you were going to ask me my advice, I should say: take your courage in both hands and try your luck at something else. It sounds very hard, but let me tell you this: I would give all I have in the world if someone had given me that advice when I was your age and I had taken it." Philip looked up at him with surprise. The master forced his lips into a smile, but his eyes remained grave and sad." It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it's too late. It does not improve the temper." He gave a little laugh as he said the last words and quickly walked out of the room. . W. Somerset Maugham
52
There is no future in the past. Any tour into the past is perhaps courage to live at the average level as you did; old and cold, blind and blunt! Come out! Out of the past and change position. You matter, your future matters Israelmore Ayivor
53
Mediocrity is the companion of passivity and will not heed the call of great things. Courage is the companion of sacrifice and cannot help but heed the call of great things. And we are left of our own accord to choose one or the other. Craig D. Lounsbrough
54
When we are honest about the limitations we are self imposing it becomes necessary to cry out with determination and state you’ve had enough of the mediocrity of stagnation. Heidi Reagan
55
One of the most terrifying questions of all might be, ‘Will I unleash myself to live before death unleashes me from the ability to be unleashed?’ And in retrospect, maybe it’s not the question that’s terrifying. Maybe what’s terrifying is the answer. Craig D. Lounsbrough
56
Change makers take risks and are ready to die for excellence than to give excuses and live for mediocrity. Israelmore Ayivor
57
If you stay passionate and committed, mediocrity will never be eager to befriend you. Israelmore Ayivor
58
The difference between a fairly interesting writer and a fascinating writer is that the fascinating writer has a better nose for what genuinely excites him, he is hotter on the trail, he has a better instinct for what is truly alive in him. The worse writer may seem to be more sensible in many ways, but he is less sensible in this vital matter: he cannot distinguish what is full of life from what is only half full or empty of it. And so his writing is less alive, and as a writer he is less alive, and in writing, as in everything else, nothing matters but life. Ted Hughes
59
Do no drown me with mediocrity, give me passion, desire, make me inhale breaths of lust and love in the dark hours that tingle down my spine... Virginia Alison
60
Mediocrity is ‘purpose’ left to rot in minds ensnared in the deluded rationalization that vision is nothing more than a collection of fanciful dreams constructed by an imaginary God. Craig D. Lounsbrough
61
Comparing ourselves instead of taking lessons from ourselves is not only a catalyst to diminishing our true purpose but also a great ingredient to thinking negative and staying in mediocrity Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
62
Humility must not be equated to mediocrity and cowardice Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
63
Fear is dangerous but fear is good Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
64
Negotiation is permissible for mediocrity not for excellence. Amit Kalantri
65
The problem with the ‘herd’ is that our voice is never ‘heard’. Craig D. Lounsbrough
66
Apathy is giving up when we need to get up. Craig D. Lounsbrough
67
Our actions in the present build the staircase to the future. The question is whether that staircase is going up or down. Craig D. Lounsbrough
68
I no longer follow the voices of the sane. I follow the ill because they see farther, feel much more and change what the sane will not. This is the paradox of philosophers---trying to understand mass delusion among great people that have faith and knowledge, yet they can’t graduate from their institutions of religious theology to apply the knowledge they have gained for the shifting of Zion---- from words to action; from comfort to uncomfortable; from self serving to self giving; from competition to supporting; to tradition to unity; from bias to acceptance; from me to us. Shannon L. Alder
69
Too often, we put up with mediocrity, telling ourselves that later in life we’ll do what we want. Daniel Willey
70
Don't Settle for Mediocrity. Strive for Excellence Mac James
71
Creative people are often found either disagreeable or intimidating by mediocrities. Criss Jami
72
To dress up today in the threadbare garments of yesterday is to create an impoverished tomorrow. Craig D. Lounsbrough
73
I'm going to rub your faces in things you try to avoid. I don't find it strange that all you want to believe is only that which comforts you. How else do humans invent the traps which betray us into mediocrity? How else do we define cowardice? Frank Herbert
74
It is a belief of the mediocre that extreme effort kills. Moffat Machingura
75
We’re capable of much more than mediocrity, much more than merely getting by in this world. Sharon Salzberg
76
The illusionists of quantity are performing sleights of hand wherever it concerns the topic of quality. A profession that went from being second in command under the throne, to outsourced to the cheapest external providers, is perhaps one of greatest conflicts of interest society faces today, not to mention the blatant disrespect of the people quality is intended for in the first place. Quality is about ascertaining the absolute best, for the sake of all involved. It therefore, is a lofty profession combining research, science, and morality to make the best judgements for today based on the history of the past in order to most adequately prepare for an ever oncoming future. Most importantly, quality removes personal preference that is not in the best interest of all people. Thus, anyone who would launch a war on quality can be considered an enemy of mankind, as they are would be purveyors of an ultimate breach of trust and security. Until the concept of quality is reinstituted as the governing advisor in all aspects of society, sychophants will chant "more" is "better". They will sell mediocrity at top dollar, and make top profits. Mediocrity should not be the accepted, celebrated standard, it should be the rudimentary blueprint for the greatest rollouts of progress ever marked in human history. Unknown
77
We are born winners, but we are hypnotized by the society to succumb to mediocrity and moulded into self-victimization. It is for each one of us to regain our self-geniusness. Vishwas Chavan
78
It embarrassed her, as a child, to think that her father had fallen in love, or, if men must love, then it should have been someone else, someone dark, mysterious and profoundly clever, not an ordinary person who was impatient for no reason and cross when one was late for lunch. Daphne Du Maurier
79
Brockhurst, the champion of individualism, was soon launched on his favorite topic." The great fault of the American nation, which is the fault of republics, is the reduction of everything to the average. Our universities are simply the expression of the forces that are operating outside. We are business colleges purely and simply, because we as a nation have only one ideal–the business ideal."" That's a big statement, " said Regan."It's true. Twenty years ago we had the ideal of the lawyer, of the doctor, of the statesman, of the gentleman, of the man of letters, of the soldier. Now the lawyer is simply a supernumerary enlisting under any banner for pay; the doctor is overshadowed by the specialist with his business development of the possibilities of the rich; we have politicians, and politics are deemed impossible for a gentleman; the gentleman cultured, simple, hospitable, and kind, is of the dying generation; the soldier is simply on parade."" Wow! " said Ricketts, jingling his chips. "They're off."" Everything has conformed to business, everything has been made to pay. Art is now a respectable career–to whom? To the business man. Why? Because a profession that is paid $3, 000 to $5, 000 a portrait is no longer an art, but a blamed good business. The man who cooks up his novel according to the weakness of his public sells a hundred thousand copies. Dime novel? No; published by our most conservative publishers–one of our leading citizens. He has found out that scribbling is a new field of business. He has convinced the business man. He has made it pay. . Owen Johnson
80
To a hungry person, every bitter food is sweet. When the preferable is not available, the available becomes preferable! Israelmore Ayivor
81
Mediocrity is a pit that swallows people who have rested on seats of complacency for long. Israelmore Ayivor
82
If life gives you a passport size dream, don't frame it... Order for a reprint... Go for the bigger picture of you! You deserve a bigger and bright image of you... Go and soar like an eagle! Israelmore Ayivor
83
Leaders don’t settle for less. When you do so, you rob humanity of what you are supposed to deliver! Israelmore Ayivor
84
Leaders create a conducive environment for followers to accomplish their respective dreams. True leaders never fall for anything inferior! Israelmore Ayivor
85
There are no intermediaries when it comes to matters of change. Anyone who is not for change is against it. Anyone who is against change is an enemy of nature! Israelmore Ayivor
86
Let your first enemy be mediocrity; it has no role to play, no word to say and no action to display in your life. Never love to swim in shallow waters; they breed nothing than fearful reptiles of failure! Israelmore Ayivor
87
Where you are now is as a result of either your choice or someone’s choice. If you neglect the ideas of choosing the ultimate things for yourself, someone will hire you by choosing the average thing for you. Israelmore Ayivor
88
Break every chain of mediocrity that confines you. You may have begun at a level below average, but dare to leave that side and paddle your steps to cross the river with honours. Israelmore Ayivor
89
Good leaders always bring about transformation... Bad leaders only maintain and preserve long standing mediocrity! Israelmore Ayivor
90
Retaliation retards your excellence. Nelson Mandela would not have been named as a great man if not for his courage to forgive those who schemed and plotted it for him to spend those 10000 bitter days in prison. Israelmore Ayivor
91
If you are not angry with your average performance, you can't effect a change! You must get upset to grab the energy to break the fence confining you! Israelmore Ayivor
92
In the faculty of failure, mediocrity is never an optional course! Israelmore Ayivor
93
There is time to compromise. There is time to absolutely abhor d word. Most times it is the latter. Compromise is mediocrity. Compromise is cheap. Unknown
94
When you do great things, think as if you missed the mark by an inch; walk as if you are yet to face the greatest task; talk as if you are yet to have the best preparation for the momentous moment and dream as if you are fighting a battalion of tasks Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
95
God doesn't call us to mediocrity. He calls us to a greater standard that doesn't teach us to tear people down to reach him, but to lift others up. Be the type of person that when people walk away from you, they know who you represent! Shannon L. Alder
96
The goal of comfort is at the self-same time the abandonment of great accomplishments. Craig D. Lounsbrough
97
Most journeys are armchair calculations strategically charted in some reclined state that are designed to allow us to embark upon a grand journey without ever leaving the armchair. However, real journeys are absent of furniture. Craig D. Lounsbrough
98
To avoid the cost incurred in pursuing great things we opt for ease and blithely abandon great things. The sheer recklessness of such a pathetically apathetic trade-off will eventually cost us a life squandered, which in the end is the greatest cost of all. Craig D. Lounsbrough
99
Every advancing step I take toward my goal of comfort is yet another retreating step I take away from God's goal of the impossible. Craig D. Lounsbrough
100
If I am always standing at the bottom of the mountain longingly looking up, in all probability it is because I have heeded the pillaging dogma of mediocrity which persistently tells me that the dream is not worth the climb. Craig D. Lounsbrough