Sarah Vowell Quote

A gifted violin player in danger of becoming a virtuoso and thus too attached to his instrument handed it over to the Oneida authorities and never played again. When a visiting Canadian teacher complained that the community did not foster genius or special talent, Noyes was delighted, replying, We never expected or desired to produce a Byron, a Napoleon, or a Michelangelo. You know you've reached a new plateau of group mediocrity when even a Canadian is alarmed by your lack of individuality.

Sarah Vowell

A gifted violin player in danger of becoming a virtuoso and thus too attached to his instrument handed it over to the Oneida authorities and never played again. When a visiting Canadian teacher complained that the community did not foster genius or special talent, Noyes was delighted, replying, We never expected or desired to produce a Byron, a Napoleon, or a Michelangelo. You know you've reached a new plateau of group mediocrity when even a Canadian is alarmed by your lack of individuality.

Related Quotes