Quotes About Excellence

The essence of professionalism is the focus upon the work and its demands, while we are doing it, to the exclusion of all else. The ancient Spartans schooled themselves to regard the enemy, any enemy, as nameless and faceless. In other words, they believed that if they did their work, no force on earth could stand against them.

A commander's role is to model arete, excellence, before his men. One need not thrash them to greatness; only hold it out before them. They will be compelled by their own nature to emulate it.

This doesn't mean that the professional doesn't throw down a 360 tomahawk jam from time to time, just to let the boys know he's still in business.

The pro doesn't even pick up the phone. He stays at work.

signed by Bobby Jones.

The idea that North Korea alone excelled while all other nations were falling behind seemed a near obsession.

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

The tao is the way of humanity and justice; 'laws' are regulations and institutions. Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and justice and maintain their laws and institution. By these means they make their governments invincible.

He who advances Without seeking Fame, Who retreats Without escaping Blame, He whose one aim is To protect his people And serve his lord, This man is A Jewel of the Realm.

And then I did what no other athlete has done before. I won 2 Olympic gold medals in 2 different sports in the same afternoon. First I won the cross-country ski race. I went from home to Miller's Pond and won by so much I couldn't even see my competitors. But

I'd rather be a first-rate failure than a second-rate success.

Whenever I feel we are being less than we could be, we talk about it. It's not always a long conversation. Sometimes it's simply a reminder that we could settle for mediocrity or we could create something truly exceptional. Our relationship is wonderful because it's a decision we make over and over.

With genius, as with beauty -- all, well almost all, is forgiven.

When something is just bad (rather than Camp), it's often because it is too mediocre in its ambition.

If a person loves something above all else, if he values the work of his heart and hands, then he should naturally, without hesitation, pour into it his whole soul, undivided and pure. Great art demands nothing less.

Cat Ellington is the Bo Jackson of the creative arts. Everything she does, she does extremely well. And I'm proud of her. I'm proud to say that a woman as beautiful and gifted as she is has a solid place in both my personal and professional lives.

My one aim was to do a thing well and to excel if possible.

One of the rarest things that a man ever does, is to do the best he can.

One of rarest things that a man ever does is to do the best he can.

There's no half-singing in the shower, you're either a rock star or an opera diva.

The easiest and fastest route to WIN BIG in life requires getting around winners. Watch what they do and do it. Listen to what they say and say it. Follow the patterns.

In every discipline, the ability to be clearheaded, present, cool under fire is much of what separates the best from the mediocre.

In chess you might find a good move. Then you might find a better move. But take your time. Find the best move.

The technical afterthoughts of a truly great one can appear to be divine inspiration to the lesser artist. When