Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.

Great innovators and original thinkers and artists attract the wrath of mediocrities as lightning rods draw the flashes.

Great innovators and original thinkers and artists attract the wrath of mediocrities as lightning rods draw the flashes.

I do beseech you--
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess
(As I confess it is read more

I do beseech you--
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess
(As I confess it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not), that your wisdom yet
From one that so imperfectly conjects
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.

Mediocrity is self-inflicted. Genius is self-bestowed.

Mediocrity is self-inflicted. Genius is self-bestowed.

Mediocrity requires aloofness to preserve its dignity.

Mediocrity requires aloofness to preserve its dignity.

So full of artless jealousy is guilt, It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.

So full of artless jealousy is guilt, It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

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

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

O! beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.

O! beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.