The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.
Lily TomlinRead
Sometimes I worry about being a success in a mediocre world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a concern about achieving success in an ordinary or uninspired environment.
Lily Tomlin's quote reflects a common anxiety among individuals who strive for excellence in a world that often seems satisfied with mediocrity. It underscores the struggle between personal ambition and the prevailing norms of society, suggesting that oneβs pursuit of success can feel overwhelming when surrounded by average expectations.
Themes
SuccessMediocrityWorryAmbitionSociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to encourage striving for excellence despite societal norms.
More from Lily Tomlin
All quotes βThe road to success is always under construction.
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Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them.
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Truth is, I've always been selling out. The difference is that in the past, I looked like I had integrity because there were no buyers.
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Why is it that when we talk to God we're said to be praying but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic?
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Sometimes I feel like a figment of my own imagination.
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