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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wilde claims that to be popular one must be mediocre, implying popularity favors conformity over excellence.
In plain terms
He says popularity requires mediocrity.
What can you take from it?
Popularity often rewards average over exceptional.

Where it applies

  • social media
  • workplace dynamics

Putting it to work

  • focus on authenticity
  • value quality over approval

Questions to consider

  • Why does mediocrity sometimes attract mass appeal?
  • Can excellence coexist with popularity?

Another view

Many popular figures are highly talented, challenging this claim.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. Each time that one loves is the only time one has ever loved.

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  2. To define is to limit.

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  3. It is perfectly monstrous the way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one's back that are absolutely and entirely true.

    Permalink to quote #98

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