--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Strictly excel in what is excellence with…" description: "\"Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace\" — GZA" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/gza-3767_excellence_strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-wit_879076.png" --- # Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace ![“Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace” quote by GZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/gza-3767_excellence_strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-wit_879076.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/gza-3767_excellence_strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-wit_879076.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/gza-3767_excellence_strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-wit_879076.png) > “Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace” [GZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strive for excellence with humility, merging skill and grace. **In simple terms:** Excel with grace and humility. Key Takeaway Pursue mastery while staying humble. Themes music self‑improvement philosophy Mood inspirational thoughtful Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - career development - artistic practice - leadership Key Concepts excellence grace humility Questions to Reflect On - How does humility affect perceived competence? - What practices cultivate graceful excellence? A Different Perspective Grace can be misinterpreted as lack of ambition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excel Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excel-excellence-1033685/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Excellence Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence-grace-1033684/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Nature of Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-beauty/) [Strictly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strictly/) [Strictly Excel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strictly-excel-1033686/) ## Related quotes > [“0 true and heavenly grace, without which our own merits are nothing, and our natural gifts of no account! Neither arts nor riches, beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/0-true-and-heavenly-grace-without-which-our-own-merits-are-nothing/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [I was strictly after hits when it came down to the Jackson 5. That's all I was concerned with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deke-richards/i-was-strictly-after-hits-when-it-came-down-to-the-jackson-5-that-s/) [Deke Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deke-richards/) > [Strictly' is a journey. I haven't danced before but I'm putting the practice hours in, whether it shows or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-myers/strictly-is-a-journey-i-haven-t-danced-before-but-i-m-putting-the/) [Dave Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-myers/) > [I'm a massive fan of 'Strictly' so it's incredible. I'm so happy that I can be a part of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelvin-fletcher/i-m-a-massive-fan-of-strictly-so-it-s-incredible-i-m-so-happy-that-i/) [Kelvin Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelvin-fletcher/) > [Since jumping on this crazy train, 'Strictly's' popularity has taken me somewhat by surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/since-jumping-on-this-crazy-train-strictly-s-popularity-has-taken-me/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [When I go into the studio, I'm strictly for business... I don't like any fooling around in the studio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otis-redding/when-i-go-into-the-studio-i-m-strictly-for-business-i-don-t-like-any/) [Otis Redding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otis-redding/) > [I would never do 'Dancing With The Stars,' because it's just not fair. I am too good of a dancer. It would be like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crews/i-would-never-do-dancing-with-the-stars-because-it-s-just-not-fair-i/) [Terry Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crews/) > [In my early life, I was a professional folk singer. I used to sing on the national television and radio in Canada. Nobody knows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-gordon/in-my-early-life-i-was-a-professional-folk-singer-i-used-to-sing-on/) [Mary Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-gordon/) > [I knew taking part in 'Strictly' would be a brilliant thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sugg/i-knew-taking-part-in-strictly-would-be-a-brilliant-thing-to-do/) [Joe Sugg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sugg/) > [Strictly' is the most successful reality format in the world - it's in the 'Guinness Book of Records' - going to 38 countries. 'X…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-revel-horwood/strictly-is-the-most-successful-reality-format-in-the-world-it-s-in/) [Craig Revel Horwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-revel-horwood/) > ['Dancing with the Stars' is awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-bryan/dancing-with-the-stars-is-awesome/) [Sabrina Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-bryan/) > [I try to get the hip-hop aesthetic, most times without an MC. I don't use a rapper or a DJ to give it the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-glasper/i-try-to-get-the-hip-hop-aesthetic-most-times-without-an-mc-i-don-t/) [Robert Glasper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-glasper/) > [Most of black America is in housing projects, without jobs, living on welfare. And this is not the case in 'The Cosby Show,' because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/most-of-black-america-is-in-housing-projects-without-jobs-living-on/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) > [Whenever there's a speciality dance, such as the Charleston or the Argentine Tango, 'Strictly' enlists expert choreographers to work with the professional dancers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/whenever-there-s-a-speciality-dance-such-as-the-charleston-or-the/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [I feel fairly certain that my painting skills might not be best shown on 'Dancing with the Stars.' I'll have to come up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-hough/i-feel-fairly-certain-that-my-painting-skills-might-not-be-best-shown/) [Derek Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-hough/) ## More by GZA > [I don't eat meat - chicken, fish, none of that. I eat a lot of vegetable sandwiches, like lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumbers, whatever I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-don-t-eat-meat-chicken-fish-none-of-that-i-eat-a-lot-of-vegetable/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I had a few DJs in my neighbourhood that would play music in the streets. There was no hip-hop yet; there were just DJs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-had-a-few-djs-in-my-neighbourhood-that-would-play-music-in-the/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I think, for myself, as an artist, the progression is a lyrical progression and what I choose to target my lyrics at and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-think-for-myself-as-an-artist-the-progression-is-a-lyrical/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [Hip-hop started with street poets with great lyrical skills, and that's what hip-hop has always been about for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/hip-hop-started-with-street-poets-with-great-lyrical-skills-and-that/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [As far as being a vegetarian, it's a moral thing, a health thing, a conscious thing - a combination of all. I think it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/as-far-as-being-a-vegetarian-it-s-a-moral-thing-a-health-thing-a/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [When the Black Lips sent a track over to me, I thought it sounded like a Beastie Boys track, the way the singer was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/when-the-black-lips-sent-a-track-over-to-me-i-thought-it-sounded-like/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I'm just really, really laid-back-slash-lazy. Last minute with everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-m-just-really-really-laid-back-slash-lazy-last-minute-with/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I think every being in the universe is connected somehow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-think-every-being-in-the-universe-is-connected-somehow/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I get inspired by many different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-get-inspired-by-many-different-things/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I don't knock material rappers, but let me hear it in a different way. How many songs do I have to hear about rims…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-don-t-knock-material-rappers-but-let-me-hear-it-in-a-different-way/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I throw raps that attacks like the Japs at Pearl Harbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-throw-raps-that-attacks-like-the-japs-at-pearl-harbor/) [GZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [Moog has been incorporated in a lot of our music. I know RZA has several of those machines. So, it did play a major…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/moog-has-been-incorporated-in-a-lot-of-our-music-i-know-rza-has/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [I just have certain interests in different things, and they inspire me to write. I would encourage aspiring artists or MCs or rappers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-just-have-certain-interests-in-different-things-and-they-inspire-me/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [It's always been about shelf life. Long-term parking, not short-term. That's why I take the time that I do when I write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/it-s-always-been-about-shelf-life-long-term-parking-not-short-term/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [Before hip-hop existed, we were listening to soul songs from the '70s. I grew up with Motown, Elton John, and the Beatles. To me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/before-hip-hop-existed-we-were-listening-to-soul-songs-from-the-70s-i/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) [Explore all 122 GZA quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) ## More Excellence quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/) [Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/) > [“Anytime I see a rainbow, what comes into my mind is how skillful and talented someone was to create an ark that didn't leak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/anytime-i-see-a-rainbow-what-comes-into-my-mind-is-how-skillful-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [We may be masters of our every lot By bearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-may-be-masters-of-our-every-lot-by-bearing-it/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/quality-means-doing-it-right-when-no-one-is-looking/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-cannot-all-be-masters-nor-all-masters-cannot-be-truly-followed/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Leadership, pure and simple, is the assumption of responsibility for the pursuit of excellence in group life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-selznick/leadership-pure-and-simple-is-the-assumption-of-responsibility-for/) [Philip Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-selznick/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Browse all 4,187 Excellence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "GZA" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-with-grace/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excellence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-with-grace/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/gza-3767_excellence_strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-wit_879076.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/gza-3767_excellence_strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-wit_879076.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/gza-3767_excellence_strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-wit_879076.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Strictly excel in what is excellence with grace” — GZA", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "GZA", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Strictly excel in what is excellence...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-with-grace/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/strictly-excel-in-what-is-excellence-with-grace/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```