---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm…"
description: "\"A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one.\" — Mary Kay Ash"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/mary-kay-ash-3346_ideas_a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusias_814305.jpg"
---

#  A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther…

![“A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one.” quote by Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/mary-kay-ash-3346_ideas_a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusias_814305.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/mary-kay-ash-3346_ideas_a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusias_814305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/mary-kay-ash-3346_ideas_a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusias_814305.jpg)

> “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one.”

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Enthusiasm can propel a modest idea further than a superior idea lacking excitement.

**In simple terms:** Passion drives ideas further than quality alone.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate enthusiasm for your projects.

Themes

enthusiasm idea motivation

Mood

inspirational practical

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- team meetings
- product launches
- creative brainstorming
- marketing campaigns

Key Concepts

psychology leadership innovation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you inject excitement into a good idea?
- What fuels your enthusiasm?

A Different Perspective

Great ideas still need passion to succeed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/)

## Related quotes

> [A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusiasm-will-go-further-than-a/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [This was a really big opportunity. This script was even mediocre. The idea was great, but Jay came on with his guys made it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-william-scott/this-was-a-really-big-opportunity-this-script-was-even-mediocre-the/)

[Sean William Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-william-scott/)

> [My parents taught me that I could do anything I wanted and I have always believed it to be true. Add a clear idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-goss/my-parents-taught-me-that-i-could-do-anything-i-wanted-and-i-have/)

Pete Goss

> [Even a mediocre idea created and presented with passion can change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boland-t-jones/even-a-mediocre-idea-created-and-presented-with-passion-can-change/)

Boland T. Jones

> [I believe with all my heart that America remains 'the great idea' that inspires the world. It is a privilege to be born here.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-believe-with-all-my-heart-that-america-remains-the-great-idea-that/)

[Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/)

> [“The next time you see a sixteen-color, blind-embossed, gold-stamped, die-cut, elaborately folded and bound job, printed on handmade paper, see if it isn't a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-glaser/the-next-time-you-see-a-sixteen-color-blind-embossed-gold-stamped-die/)

[Milton Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-glaser/)

> [Mediocre men often have the most acquired knowledge. It is in the darker. It is in the darker regions of science that great men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-bernard/mediocre-men-often-have-the-most-acquired-knowledge-it-is-in-the/)

[Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-bernard/)

> [Philadelphians are every whit as mediocre as their neighbors, but they seldom encourage each other in mediocrity by giving it a more agreeable name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/philadelphians-are-every-whit-as-mediocre-as-their-neighbors-but-they/)

[Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/)

> [I was haunted always by my other life-my drab room in the Bronx, my square foot of the subway, my fixation upon the day's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/i-was-haunted-always-by-my-other-life-my-drab-room-in-the-bronx-my/)

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

> [To the distracting occupations belong especially my lecture courses which I am holding this winter for the first time, and which now cost much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-friedrich-gauss/to-the-distracting-occupations-belong-especially-my-lecture-courses/)

[Carl Friedrich Gauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-friedrich-gauss/)

> [To run with the majority during the race of life is to be mediocre all of the time and wrong most of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/len-smith/to-run-with-the-majority-during-the-race-of-life-is-to-be-mediocre/)

[Len Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/len-smith/)

> [We create a standard for how we want to do things and everybody's got to buy into that standard or you really can't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/we-create-a-standard-for-how-we-want-to-do-things-and-everybody-s-got/)

[Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/)

> [Preserve your energy - do not waste it on mediocre activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-wilde/preserve-your-energy-do-not-waste-it-on-mediocre-activity/)

[Stuart Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-wilde/)

> [Finding patterns is easy in any kind of data-rich environment; that's what mediocre gamblers do. The key is in determining whether the patterns represent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-silver/finding-patterns-is-easy-in-any-kind-of-data-rich-environment-that-s/)

[Nate Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-silver/)

> [I want to be involved in things I can be really proud of. There's a lot of bad films being made and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisling-loftus/i-want-to-be-involved-in-things-i-can-be-really-proud-of-there-s-a/)

[Aisling Loftus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aisling-loftus/)

## More by Mary Kay Ash

> [Sometimes listening itself may not be enough-some people must be prodded if you are to find out what they're thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/sometimes-listening-itself-may-not-be-enough-some-people-must-be/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [I put a lot of emphasis on how to treat people. The reason for this is simple. The real success of our personal lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-put-a-lot-of-emphasis-on-how-to-treat-people-the-reason-for-this-is/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [God does not ask your ability Or your inability. He asks only your availability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-does-not-ask-your-ability-or-your-inability-he-asks-only-your/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [My priorities have always been God first, family second, career third. I have found that when I put my life in this order, everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/my-priorities-have-always-been-god-first-family-second-career-third-i/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/if-you-think-you-can-you-can-and-if-you-think-you-can-t-you-re-right/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [Many women have made the mistake of changing their beliefs to accommodate their work; it must be the other way around. No circumstance is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/many-women-have-made-the-mistake-of-changing-their-beliefs-to/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [I've often said that we are doing something far more important than just selling cosmetics; we are changing lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-ve-often-said-that-we-are-doing-something-far-more-important-than/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don't keep it a secret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/everyone-wants-to-be-appreciated-so-if-you-appreciate-someone-don-t/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/honesty-is-the-cornerstone-of-all-success-without-which-confidence/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [Individuals sometimes feel insignificant and doubt that one person can really make a difference in this world. Well, believe me, one person can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/individuals-sometimes-feel-insignificant-and-doubt-that-one-person/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [What's interesting about subscribing to a life of giving is that you become addicted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/what-s-interesting-about-subscribing-to-a-life-of-giving-is-that-you/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [God first, family second, career third](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-first-family-second-career-third/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence, which, I believe, does make the woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/while-clothes-may-not-make-the-woman-they-certainly-have-a-strong/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [I have learned to imagine an invisible sign around each person’s neck that says ‘Make me feel important,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-have-learned-to-imagine-an-invisible-sign-around-each-person-s-neck/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [God didn't have time to make a nobody, only a somebody.I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-didn-t-have-time-to-make-a-nobody-only-a-somebody-i-believe-that/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

[Explore all 133 Mary Kay Ash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

## More Ideas quotes

> [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/)

[Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [I know for my wife and I, we always loved the idea of being young parents. It is an incredibly inspiring and challenging job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hanson/i-know-for-my-wife-and-i-we-always-loved-the-idea-of-being-young/)

[Taylor Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hanson/)

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/)

[Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/)

> [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/)

[Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/)

> [It revealed a cruelty that really made one wonder if the universe was such a good idea after all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/it-revealed-a-cruelty-that-really-made-one-wonder-if-the-universe-was/)

[Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/)

> [Sometimes it's just enough for me to have the idea. I don't need to see it through to the end. When it actually happens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/sometimes-it-s-just-enough-for-me-to-have-the-idea-i-don-t-need-to/)

[Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/)

> [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/)

[M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/)

> [Making movies seemed so impossible as far as getting my ideas funded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boots-riley/making-movies-seemed-so-impossible-as-far-as-getting-my-ideas-funded/)

[Boots Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boots-riley/)

> [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/)

[Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/)

> [What is music? Music is language. A human being wants to express ideas in this language, but not ideas that can be translated into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-webern/what-is-music-music-is-language-a-human-being-wants-to-express-ideas/)

[Anton Webern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-webern/)

> [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/)

[Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/)

[Browse all 24,908 Ideas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mary Kay Ash"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusiasm-will-go-farther-than-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ideas"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusiasm-will-go-farther-than-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/mary-kay-ash-3346_ideas_a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusias_814305.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/mary-kay-ash-3346_ideas_a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusias_814305.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/mary-kay-ash-3346_ideas_a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusias_814305.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one.” — Mary Kay Ash",
                "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": "Mary Kay Ash",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusiasm-will-go-farther-than-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/a-mediocre-idea-that-generates-enthusiasm-will-go-farther-than-a/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
