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About this quote

What does it mean?
Average people think mediocrity is excellent.
In plain terms
Mediocre people like mediocrity.
What can you take from it?
Standards depend on the observer.

Where it applies

  • quality control
  • artistic critique
  • workplace evaluation

Putting it to work

  • raise your standards
  • challenge low expectations

Questions to consider

  • What defines excellence?
  • Are standards subjective?

Another view

Mediocrity can be acceptable in many everyday contexts.

More from Joseph Joubert

  1. Love and fear. Everything the father of a family says must inspire one or the other.

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  2. Misery is almost always the result of thinking.

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  3. Logic works; metaphysics contemplates.

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