--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned…" description: "\"Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned that there is always someone better than you at what you do.\" — Theophilus London" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/theophilus-london-2505_always_brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-t_1392504.png" --- # Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned that there is… ![“Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned that there is always someone better than you at what you do.” quote by Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/theophilus-london-2505_always_brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-t_1392504.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/theophilus-london-2505_always_brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-t_1392504.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/theophilus-london-2505_always_brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-t_1392504.png) > “Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned that there is always someone better than you at what you do.” [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living in Brooklyn for two decades taught the speaker that others often outshine you in any skill. **In simple terms:** Someone is always better at what you do. Key Takeaway Strive to improve constantly. Themes self‑improvement competition humility Mood inspired thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - artistic pursuits - learning new crafts Key Concepts growth mindset skill development Questions to Reflect On - What can you learn from those better than you? - How do you balance humility and ambition? A Different Perspective Comparison can erode confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Brooklyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brooklyn/) [Brooklyn Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brooklyn-years-3203223/) [Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned/) [Learned Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-better-317857/) [Someone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/someone/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Twenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenty/) [Ve Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ve-learned/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [Brooklyn for twenty years, Ive learned that there is always someone better than you at what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/brooklyn-for-twenty-years-ive-learned-that-there-is-always-someone/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [“For four years he lived in Brooklyn, and four years in Brooklyn are a geologic age -- a single stratum of grey time. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wolfe/for-four-years-he-lived-in-brooklyn-and-four-years-in-brooklyn-are-a/) [Thomas Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wolfe/) > [Education does not take place when you learn something you did not know before. Education is your ability to use what you have learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/education-does-not-take-place-when-you-learn-something-you-did-not/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [I learned the value of focus. I learned it is better to do one product well than two products in a mediocre way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reed-hastings/i-learned-the-value-of-focus-i-learned-it-is-better-to-do-one-product/) [Reed Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reed-hastings/) > [I'm not proud of my mistakes but I'm proud that I learned from them which made me a better person today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anmol-andore/i-m-not-proud-of-my-mistakes-but-i-m-proud-that-i-learned-from-them/) [Anmol Andore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anmol-andore/) > [“I learned that it is better, a thousand-fold, for a proud man to fall and be humbled, than to hold up his head in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-learned-that-it-is-better-a-thousand-fold-for-a-proud-man-to-fall/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [As a child, I disliked books in which children learned to be 'better' children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-cleary/as-a-child-i-disliked-books-in-which-children-learned-to-be-better/) [Beverly Cleary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-cleary/) > [“I had finally learned that it was better to be alone than to be in a relationship that degraded my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissy-moon/i-had-finally-learned-that-it-was-better-to-be-alone-than-to-be-in-a/) [Chrissy Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissy-moon/) > [“Laurent said, ‘I have recently learned that sometimes it is better to simply smash a hole in the wall.’ \*”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/laurent-said-i-have-recently-learned-that-sometimes-it-is-better-to/) [C.S. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-pacat/) > [I have learned how to better handle things as they come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-azarenka/i-have-learned-how-to-better-handle-things-as-they-come/) [Victoria Azarenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-azarenka/) > [I've learned it's always better to have a small percentage of a big success, than a hundred percent of nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-linkletter/i-ve-learned-it-s-always-better-to-have-a-small-percentage-of-a-big/) [Art Linkletter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-linkletter/) > [Have I always been perfect? Have I always done things the right way? No. Have I learned and found a better way of doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desean-jackson/have-i-always-been-perfect-have-i-always-done-things-the-right-way-no/) [DeSean Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desean-jackson/) > [Another lesson learned. Better know your friends or else you'll get burned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/another-lesson-learned-better-know-your-friends-or-else-you-ll-get/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“I grasped the who, and that was enough when I didn’t understand the why. What I have learned along the way, and what Job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasey-van-norman/i-grasped-the-who-and-that-was-enough-when-i-didn-t-understand-the/) [Kasey Van Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasey-van-norman/) > [I have sometimes questioned the advice and direction I received from my parents and grandparents, but I never questioned the fact that they loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/i-have-sometimes-questioned-the-advice-and-direction-i-received-from/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) ## More by Theophilus London > [Brooklyn, where I grew up, is a competitive burg - there's always a pretty boy around the corner there, and you gotta look better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/brooklyn-where-i-grew-up-is-a-competitive-burg-there-s-always-a/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [I don't have a license, but I do drive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/i-don-t-have-a-license-but-i-do-drive/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [When you're a kid, you're only exposed to what's going on in your mind. The mind is like a bigger-than-outer-space type of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/when-you-re-a-kid-you-re-only-exposed-to-what-s-going-on-in-your-mind/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [I went to Brazil in 2010 and pretty much did songs about that trip. I was there just to hang out, chill with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/i-went-to-brazil-in-2010-and-pretty-much-did-songs-about-that-trip-i/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [When I want to choose to work with someone, you know, I definitely have to do some research on their background and how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/when-i-want-to-choose-to-work-with-someone-you-know-i-definitely-have/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [I like to go to the airport looking stylish - you never know who youll run into. Sometimes I have fans at the airports.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/i-like-to-go-to-the-airport-looking-stylish-you-never-know-who-youll/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [I'm listening to early Cash Money, I'm listening to Juvenile, I'm listening to Waka Flocka, I'm listening to Lil B, I'm listening to Brandy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/i-m-listening-to-early-cash-money-i-m-listening-to-juvenile-i-m/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [Billie Jean was a negative dance song, and that was one of the best dance songs ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/billie-jean-was-a-negative-dance-song-and-that-was-one-of-the-best/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [The most time I spent home in 2009 was about a month.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/the-most-time-i-spent-home-in-2009-was-about-a-month/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [Style is a form of expression! It's what makes your character your character, to put it in laymen's term.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/style-is-a-form-of-expression-it-s-what-makes-your-character-your/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [Brands are in your face 24/7; I'm sure you've consumed a couple brands today. So it's fun working with them. People recognize brands, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/brands-are-in-your-face-24-7-i-m-sure-you-ve-consumed-a-couple-brands/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [Karl Lagerfeld is the hardest-working man in showbiz!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/karl-lagerfeld-is-the-hardest-working-man-in-showbiz/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [My signature style is super uniformed. I like black pants, black blazers, and boots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/my-signature-style-is-super-uniformed-i-like-black-pants-black/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [Do not fear the digital world, it will not kill us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/do-not-fear-the-digital-world-it-will-not-kill-us-all/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) > [I hate writing texts to girlfriends because you can't really see emotions in texts. You can get confused on what she says.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/i-hate-writing-texts-to-girlfriends-because-you-can-t-really-see/) [Theophilus London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) [Explore all 163 Theophilus London quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned that there is always someone better than you at what you do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theophilus London" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-that-there-is-always-someone/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-that-there-is-always-someone/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/theophilus-london-2505_always_brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-t_1392504.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/theophilus-london-2505_always_brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-t_1392504.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/theophilus-london-2505_always_brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-t_1392504.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned that there is always someone better than you at what you do.” — Theophilus London", "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": "Theophilus London", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophilus-london/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Brooklyn for twenty years, I've learned...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-that-there-is-always-someone/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophilus-london/brooklyn-for-twenty-years-i-ve-learned-that-there-is-always-someone/#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 } } ] } ```