“Humanity was so flawed. Not just her, but everyone. Half the population was below average intelligence. Half below average dedication. Average adherence to duty. The cruel law of statistics. It was astounding that as a race they’d managed as much as they had.”
Epilogue (p. 525)
Nemesis Games (2015)
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Daniel Abraham 141
speculative fiction writer from the United States 1969Related quotes

“Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.”
Doin' It Again, Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics (1990)
Context: I know that. Some people don't want you to mention certain things. Some people don't want you to say this, some people don't want you to say that. Some people think if you mention some things they might happen. Some people are really fucking stupid. Did you ever notice that, how many stupid people you run into during the day? Goddamn there's a lot of stupid bastards walking around. Carry a pad and pencil with you, you'll wind up with thirty or forty names by the end of the day. Think about this; think about how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of 'em are stupider than that.

"The Scientific Aspect of Monte Carlo Roulette" (1894)

“By definition, it is not possible to everyone to be above the average.”
Source: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

“I have constantly had in mind the average man intelligently interested in political affairs.”
Source: Seven Great Statesmen in the Warfare of Humanity with Unreason (1915), p.x
Context: While I have given references which will enable historical students to verify my statements and follow them further, I have constantly had in mind the average man intelligently interested in political affairs. It is for this reason that to each of these personages is given a somewhat extended historical setting which may enable any reader to understand his environment, the men and things with which he contended, and the results which he sought and accomplished.