--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I also feared boredom and mediocrity much…" description: "\"“I also feared boredom and mediocrity much more than I feared failure. For me, great is better than terrible, and terrible is better than mediocre, bec..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/ray-dalio-299_failure_i-also-feared-boredom-and-mediocrity-muc_2853957.jpg" --- # I also feared boredom and mediocrity much more than I… ![“I also feared boredom and mediocrity much more than I feared failure. For me, great is better than terrible, and terrible is better than mediocre, because terrible at least gives life flavor. The high school yearbook quote my friends chose for me was from Thoreau: “If a man does not keep pace with…” quote by Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/ray-dalio-299_failure_i-also-feared-boredom-and-mediocrity-muc_2853957.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/ray-dalio-299_failure_i-also-feared-boredom-and-mediocrity-muc_2853957.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/ray-dalio-299_failure_i-also-feared-boredom-and-mediocrity-muc_2853957.jpg) > ““I also feared boredom and mediocrity much more than I feared failure. For me, great is better than terrible, and terrible is better than mediocre, because terrible at least gives life flavor. The high school yearbook quote my friends chose for me was from Thoreau: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”” [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author prefers boredom over mediocrity, values greatness even if terrible, and embraces individuality, echoing Thoreau’s call to follow one’s own path. **In simple terms:** Boredom is better than mediocrity; greatness can be terrible. Key Takeaway Embrace risk, pursue unique greatness. Themes ambition individuality mediocrity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career choices - creative projects - personal development Key Concepts existential risk personal growth Questions to Reflect On - Do you accept the cost of greatness? - How do you define “terrible” success? A Different Perspective Terrible outcomes may cause harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [High school yearbook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school-yearbook/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [“I also feared boredom and mediocrity much more than I feared failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-also-feared-boredom-and-mediocrity-much-more-than-i-feared-failure/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [I don't know who this quote is by but the friends that you can call at 3am are the ones that really count and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/i-don-t-know-who-this-quote-is-by-but-the-friends-that-you-can-call/) [Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/) > [Albert Camus's 'La Peste' - 'The Plague' - had an enormous impact on me when I read it in high school French class, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-gilpin-faust/albert-camus-s-la-peste-the-plague-had-an-enormous-impact-on-me-when/) [Drew Gilpin Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-gilpin-faust/) > [I've been caught in parachute pants. 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