Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
True excellence requires knowing the highest standard and feeling confident that you have reached it.
In plain terms
We succeed best when we know the best and believe we have it.
What can you take from it?
Study the best examples to guide your own work.

Where it applies

  • creative work
  • skill development
  • goal setting

Putting it to work

  • define clear standards
  • build confidence through mastery

Questions to consider

  • Do you know what excellence looks like?
  • Are you sure you have the best?

Another view

Confidence without true knowledge can lead to overestimation.

More from Joseph Joubert

  1. We are afraid of having and showing a small mind and we are not afraid of having and showing a small heart.

    Permalink to quote #88
  2. We may convince others by our arguments; but we can only persuade them by their own.

    Permalink to quote #90
  3. We always believe God is like ourselves, the indulgent think him indulgent and the stern, terrible.

    Permalink to quote #87

Related quotes

  1. Love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. And let the chips fall where they may.

    Jon StewartJon Stewart quote #11
  2. Mr Dyson is absolutely unusual in his ability and accomplishments. I can say without reservation that he is the best I have ever had or observed.

    Freeman DysonFreeman Dyson quote #51
  3. Unless you think you can do better than Tolstoy, we don't need you.

    James MichenerJames Michener quote #54