“Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities”

“In the republic of mediocrity, genius is dangerous.”

“Mediocrity can talk; but it is for genius to observe.”

“Mediocrity can talk, but it is for genius to observe.”

“Solitude, the safeguard of mediocrity, is to genius the stern friend.”

“Almost all men are less humorous than Shakespeare; but most men are more humorous than Milton, and these, it is to be feared, having suffered themselves to be dragooned by the critics into professing a distant admiration for Paradise Lost, have paid their last and utmost tribute to the genius of its author.”

“Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius.”

“The appearance of a single great genius is more than equivalent to the birth of a hundred mediocrities.”

“I don’t believe in luck, Sam. Luck is a tag given by the mediocre to account for the accomplishments of genius.”

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”