“Nothing is as approved as mediocrity, the majority has established it and it fixes its fangs on whatever gets beyond it either way.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“Nothing is as approved as mediocrity, the majority has established it and it fixes its fangs on whatever gets beyond it either way.”
Explanation
Pascal sharply criticizes society’s tendency to idolize the average and suppress what exceeds it—either in excellence or deficiency. Mediocrity, being the norm for the majority, is treated as the safest and most acceptable standard. Anything that rises above it—whether it be genius, virtue, or originality—is often met with suspicion, criticism, or resistance. Likewise, those who fall below it are marginalized. Mediocrity enforces conformity, not by reason, but by the power of the majority’s comfort with sameness.
This idea aligns with Pascal’s broader concerns in Pensées about human pride, envy, and the fear of truth or greatness. He understood that people are often disturbed by those who challenge the norm, whether through deeper insight, moral excellence, or extraordinary talent. Mediocrity is safe because it demands nothing and threatens no one, while excellence exposes the inadequacies of the average and invites judgment or imitation.
In contemporary life, where trends, popularity, and algorithms often shape cultural standards, Pascal’s quote is more relevant than ever. True creativity, brilliance, or moral courage can be met with ridicule or indifference—not because they lack value, but because they disturb the comfortable middle. His words challenge us to recognize the silent tyranny of mediocrity, and to resist its pull by honoring what is truly excellent, even when it is rare, misunderstood, or unwelcome.
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