--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some people insist that 'mediocre' is…" description: "\"Some people insist that 'mediocre' is better than 'best.' They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly. They despise brains because..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/robert-a-heinlein-209_brain_some-people-insist-that-mediocre-is-bett_1022932.jpg" --- # Some people insist that 'mediocre' is better than 'best.'… ![“Some people insist that 'mediocre' is better than 'best.' They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly. They despise brains because they have none.” quote by Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/robert-a-heinlein-209_brain_some-people-insist-that-mediocre-is-bett_1022932.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/robert-a-heinlein-209_brain_some-people-insist-that-mediocre-is-bett_1022932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/robert-a-heinlein-209_brain_some-people-insist-that-mediocre-is-bett_1022932.jpg) > “Some people insist that 'mediocre' is better than 'best.' They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly. They despise brains because they have none.” [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People who cannot achieve excellence often denigrate it, resenting those who excel because they feel inadequate themselves. **In simple terms:** Envy leads to belittling the best. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge your own insecurities. Themes envy mediocrity excellence self‑esteem Mood defensive critical reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - workplace competition - academic settings - creative collaborations - political discourse Key Concepts psychology social comparison defense mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - What achievements do you downplay in yourself? - How can you support excellence without feeling threatened? A Different Perspective Such attitudes may stem from fear of failure rather than rational critique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Clipping Wings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clipping-wings-2291516/) [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Despise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despise/) [Despise Brains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despise-brains-2291515/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Insist Mediocre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insist-mediocre-2291514/) [Mediocre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediocre/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wings/) [Wings Fly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wings-fly/) ## Related quotes > [Pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/pain-has-a-way-of-clipping-our-wings-and-keeping-us-from-being-able-2/) [William P. 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