--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mediocrity cherishes rules; as for me, I…" description: "\"Mediocrity cherishes rules; as for me, I hate them; I feel for them and for every restriction, corporation, caste, hierarchy, level, herd, a loathing w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/gustave-flaubert-354_castes_mediocrity-cherishes-rules-as-for-me-i-h_2018808.jpg" --- # Mediocrity cherishes rules; as for me, I hate them; I feel… ![“Mediocrity cherishes rules; as for me, I hate them; I feel for them and for every restriction, corporation, caste, hierarchy, level, herd, a loathing which fills my soul, and it is in this respect perhaps that I understand martyrdom.” quote by Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/gustave-flaubert-354_castes_mediocrity-cherishes-rules-as-for-me-i-h_2018808.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/gustave-flaubert-354_castes_mediocrity-cherishes-rules-as-for-me-i-h_2018808.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/gustave-flaubert-354_castes_mediocrity-cherishes-rules-as-for-me-i-h_2018808.jpg) > “Mediocrity cherishes rules; as for me, I hate them; I feel for them and for every restriction, corporation, caste, hierarchy, level, herd, a loathing which fills my soul, and it is in this respect perhaps that I understand martyrdom.” [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rules and hierarchies breed contempt, revealing a path to martyrdom. **In simple terms:** Restrictions incite hatred and sacrifice. Key Takeaway Question and challenge oppressive structures. Themes rebellion social critique martyrdom Mood critical philosophical Type sociopolitical literary When to use this quote - workplace policies - government laws - caste systems - corporate culture - social movements Key Concepts power dynamics individualism social conformity Questions to Reflect On - When do rules protect the greater good? - Can martyrdom be justified? A Different Perspective Blind rebellion can ignore nuance and cause harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Castes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/castes/) [Cherish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherish/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporations/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Hate Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate-feel-314371/) [Herds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/herds/) [Hierarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hierarchy/) [I hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-hate/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Loathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loathing/) [Martyrdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martyrdom/) [Mediocrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediocrity/) [Mediocrity Cherishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediocrity-cherishes-3645208/) [My soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-soul/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Restriction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restriction/) [Rules Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-hate-1956237/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) ## Related quotes > [I hate rules. 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