Quotes about Excellence

I have been quoted as saying, 'Do the best you can.' But I want to emphasize that it be the very best. We are too prone to be satisfied with mediocre performance. We are capable of doing so much better.

The man who sets his whole mind on the doing of each task as it is presented, who puts into it energy and intelligence, shutting all else out from his mind, and striving to do that one thing, no matter how small, completely and perfectly, detaching himself from all reward in his task - that man will every day be acquiring greater command over his mind, and will, by ever- ascending degrees, become at last a man of power - a Master.

Do not long to do great and laudable things; these will do themselves if you do your present task nobly.

One bright star is better than a thousand dull moons.

Geniuses' steps take you higher than talent's leaps.

Do not sit down in Satan's easy chair of do-little, but arise and aim at the elevated standard which it is your privilege to attain.

The Olympics represent a global standard - for men, for women, for athletics.

... the good for man is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, or if there are more kinds of virtue than one, in accordance with the best and most perfect kind.

Men, God is not opposed to greatness. God is opposed to pride. Big difference. Unfortunately, it is a difference not widely understood or embraced.

The best men of the best epochs are simply those who make the fewest blunders and commit the fewest sins.

Clever talk and domineering manner have little to with being a Man at His Best.

A man does not have to be an angel in order to be saint.