Absolutes Quote by Joseph Heller
““Colonel Cathcart was impervious to absolutes. He could measure his own progress only in relationship to others, and his idea of excellence was to do something at least as well as all the men his own age who were doing the same thing even better.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Catch-22, 1961
Excellence is measured by comparison, leading to endless rivalry and a loss of personal standards.
In simple terms: Comparing yourself to others defines success
Key Takeaway
Avoid comparison traps.
Themes
competition
self-worth
excellence
Mood
critical
motivational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- sports
- academic achievement
- personal growth
Key Concepts
relative standards
social comparison
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal standards guide you?
- How can you define success without others?
A Different Perspective
Comparison can distort true progress.
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
