“The enemy performed with his customary skill and precision. And so, unfortunately, did we.”

— A French officer observing the Austrians in action against the Prussians, 1760. (A little subtle military humor from the Seven Years’ War)

“It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.”

— Mark Twain

“It is easy to destroy the insurgents in the mountains. It is difficult to destroy the insurgents in the mind.”

— Philosopher, statesman and general Wang Yang-ming, (1472-1529)

“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”

— Lin Yutang

“Sometimes low self-esteem is earned. It’s the correct response if you are not trying your best.”

— Michael Koppelman, quoted at The Rules of a Gentleman

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Why is it that as a society we think that mediocrity should be tolerated and even praised just so that people will “feel good about themselves”?