"The best is the enemy of the good"
2007-02-06 10:51:25 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
No Finuk. The best
2007-02-06 10:55:57 · update #1
What Voltaire meant was along the lines of what General Patton said: "A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow."
The best is the enemy of the good when the endless pursuit of perfection cripples us from taking merely adequate action in the now.
And, yes - I agree. Sharp fella, that Voltaire.
2007-02-07 07:41:11 · answer #1 · answered by piperjoe68 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The best is the enemy of the good"
This quote might mean that the people who are the best at their job (take professional violinists for example) and the people who are only decent at their job (average violinists) are on opposing sides because they're competing for the same goals, dreams, or desires. The average violinists are good at what they do, but the violinists who are among the BEST cause more competition for the average violinists because they're so much better than average.
I think it's the same thing with students: a super-high average student ("best") is the enemy of the "good" student, because if they're both competing for one slot in a highly prestigious college, the college is going to pick the best student, not the average one, or the "good" one. Being the best is better than being just 'good,' and so the two are diametrically opposed.
I hope that helps!
2007-02-06 19:11:53 · answer #2 · answered by Exotic traveler 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disagree.
2007-02-06 18:55:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One should spend more time smelling the roses, rather than constantly striving for an unreachable perfection....
I always thought Voltaire was a great name for a Wizard...sorry a bit shallow I know...
2007-02-06 18:56:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Agree.
2007-02-06 20:31:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, is he trying to say bad is good
or
being best in bad for the good
I cant really tell
I'll have to pass on this one, sorry.
2007-02-06 18:57:26 · answer #6 · answered by Yo Mum Mum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cannot say yes or no because surely he must have explained it further. One sentence is not enough.
2007-02-06 18:57:14 · answer #7 · answered by Tamart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah it make you weak.
2007-02-06 18:54:37 · answer #8 · answered by mitchell2020 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would be the bad wouldn't it?
2007-02-06 18:55:04 · answer #9 · answered by sbro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋