Harvey Cushing Quotes

I don't try to be average. That's boring. That's not what life's about. I try to be great in everything I do.

I don't go for average.

There's a line between being egotistical and being genius or great.

Don't settle for average. You were made for greatness.

Refuse to be average.

No one was ever great without some portion of divine inspiration.

Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them.

Genius is a promontory jutting out into the infinite.

A great thing can only be done by a great person; and they do it without effort.

Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.

To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius.

Mediocrity is underrated.

You don't win championships by just being normal, by just being average.

I have been lucky in my life to have met people that are special, so extraordinary talented that they somehow are on a different plane. Sometimes these amazingly talented people find a way to keep reinventing themselves to stay relevant and alive. Some fall under the crushing vibrancy of their own intensity.

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

I don't hero worship for the sake of hero worship. When I find people who are truly remarkable - and I think Joseph Needham is a classic example - I do value their counsel.

There is a pinch of the madman in every great man.

To "go to extremes" is ever symptomatic of genius and greatness.

To me, the only sin is mediocrity.

I've got a chance to be really special.

I want to be great, not good.

I don't want to just be known as good. I want to be special.

forget normal, we're going to be extraordinary" -Lucas :)

[On Russia:] In every way, there is something gigantic about this people: ordinary dimensions have no applications whatever to it. I do not mean by this that true greatness and stability are never met with; but their boldness, their imaginativeness knows no bounds. With them everything is colossal rather than well-proportioned, audacious rather than well-considered, and if they do not attain their goals, it is because they exceed them.

All I knew is that I NEVER wanted to be AVERAGE.