Comparison Quote by Mikhail Baryshnikov
“I really reject that kind of comparison that says, Oh, he is the best. This is the second best. There is no such thing.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Dance Magazine, 1998
Comparisons that rank artists diminish the uniqueness of each, and the notion of a “second best” is meaningless.
In simple terms: Ranking artists is pointless; each is uniquely valuable.
Key Takeaway
Avoid ranking; appreciate individual artistry.
Themes
art
comparison
individuality
excellence
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- performance reviews
- educational settings
Key Concepts
Subjectivity
creative expression
valuation
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is ranking artists harmful?
- How can we celebrate talent without hierarchy?
A Different Perspective
Ranking can sometimes motivate improvement, though it may also foster competition.
![“Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine is too complicated for all the elements to be able to enter into the analytical comparison we wish to make, we separate the more inconvenient [elements], we…” quote by Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d9/jean-le-rond-d-alembert-26487_able_geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics_6945.jpg)
