It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at anything or everything. Of course, it would be very nice to excel at most things. Indeed, we recommend that you try and do your best. But realistically, you are entitled to do the bare minimum to get by. All your accomplishments are just a bonus, something to enjoy, not requirements. You don't have to do anything to prove that you are worthy of existing.

About Aristotle

Portrait of Aristotle

Aristotle (Ancient Greek: Ἀριστοτέλης, romanized: Aristotélēs; 384–322 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings span the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts. As the founder of the Peripatetic school of philosophy in the Lyceum in Athens, he began the wider Aristotelian tradition that...

More quotations from Aristotle

We must as second best… take the least of the evils.

Evil brings men together.

The only stable state is the one in which all men are equal before the law.

Education is the best provision for old age.

Hope is a waking dream.

More quotations tagged with “excellence”

It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.

The sad truth is that excellence makes people nervous.

—Winston Churchill

The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail; mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.

—Shana Alexander

It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity.

The secret of joy in work is contained in one word—excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.

—Publilius Syrus

History

11 Jul 2015 Added