--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The enemy of the \"best\" is often the…" description: "\"The enemy of the \"best\" is often the \"good.\"\" — Stephen Covey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/stephen-covey-339_7-habits_the-enemy-of-the-best-is-often-the-good_2432527.png" --- # The enemy of the "best" is often the "good." ![“The enemy of the "best" is often the "good."” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/stephen-covey-339_7-habits_the-enemy-of-the-best-is-often-the-good_2432527.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/stephen-covey-339_7-habits_the-enemy-of-the-best-is-often-the-good_2432527.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/stephen-covey-339_7-habits_the-enemy-of-the-best-is-often-the-good_2432527.png) > “The enemy of the "best" is often the "good."” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Settling for good prevents reaching the best possible outcome. **In simple terms:** Choosing good limits excellence. Key Takeaway Aim for excellence. Themes excellence choice standards Mood determined critical Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - business strategy - personal development - team leadership - product design Key Concepts decision making goal setting Questions to Reflect On - When is good enough? - What drives you to pursue the best? A Different Perspective Good may be sufficient in competitive markets. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [7 habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/7-habits/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Best Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-good/) [Burning inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burning-inside/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Enemy Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy-best-248200/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities/) [Priorities in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities-in-life/) [Put first things first](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/put-first-things-first/) [Top priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/top-priorities/) ## Related quotes > [Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/management-is-efficiency-in-climbing-the-ladder-of-success/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Always begin with the end in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-muth/always-begin-with-the-end-in-mind/) [Ellen Muth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-muth/) > [The Enemy of the best is the good. 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Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. 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If you want to have more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-want-to-have-a-more-pleasant-cooperative-teenager-be-a-more/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/peace-of-mind-comes-when-your-life-is-in-harmony-with-true-principles/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [You can learn great things from your mistakes when you aren't busy denying them. Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-spence/you-can-learn-great-things-from-your-mistakes-when-you-aren-t-busy/) [John Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-spence/) > [A life of integrity is the most fundamental source of personal worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/a-life-of-integrity-is-the-most-fundamental-source-of-personal-worth/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [It is one thing to make a mistake, and quite another thing not to admit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/it-is-one-thing-to-make-a-mistake-and-quite-another-thing-not-to-2/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Love is a verb. Love – the feeling – is the fruit of love, the verb. So love her. Sacrifice. Listen to her. Empathize.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/love-is-a-verb-love-the-feeling-is-the-fruit-of-love-the-verb-so-love/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Always begin with the end in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-muth/always-begin-with-the-end-in-mind/) [Ellen Muth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-muth/) > [Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/always-treat-your-employees-exactly-as-you-want-them-to-treat-your-2/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe that a life of integrity I the most fundamental source of personal worth. 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