Calling Quote by W. E. B. Du Bois
“There may often be excuse for doing things poorly in this world, but there is never any excuse for calling a poorly done thing, well done.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Souls of Black Folk, 1903
Excuses for poor effort are common, but praising subpar work is never justified.
In simple terms: Don't excuse bad work, and don't praise it.
Key Takeaway
Uphold high standards.
Themes
standards
integrity
excellence
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
ethical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- project management
- education
- public policy
- art criticism
Key Concepts
quality
leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it acceptable to praise imperfect work?
- How do you differentiate effort from outcome?
A Different Perspective
Critics may argue that context matters for evaluation.
![“I don't see [ Trainspotting ] as an albatross, I see it more as a calling card. It's got me out to Hollywood, I've got a good agent, I've got a good manager, I'm getting a lot of work out there and doing a lot of stuff - getting a lot of film projects on the go.” quote by Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/918/irvine-welsh-843_agents_i-don-t-see-trainspotting-as-an-albatros_7750.jpg)
