“ [Mr. Bates comments on the description of Robespierre in History of the French Revolution by M. J. L. Adolphe Thiers]He was a living proof that[,] in civil troubles, obstinate mediocrity is more powerful than the irregularity of genius. It is not only in civil troubles but in all the affairs of life, that obstinate mediocrity triumphs over irregular genius, and enjoys the fruits of victory.The Diary of Edward Bates, Entry for March 7, 1865, Edited by Howard K. Beale”

“Disease, and most specially opprobrious, suppressed, secret disease, creates a certain critical opposition to the world, to mediocre life, disposes a man to be obstinate and ironical toward civil order, so that he seeks refuge in free thought, in books, in study.”

“Only mediocrity can be trusted to be always at its best. Genius must always have lapses proportionate to its triumphs.”

“What puzzled me was why I seemed to be so troubled by all these irregularities and exceptions to major rules while others blithely marched ahead.”

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

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

“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.”