Quote by Herman Melville
Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.
Summary
This quote reflects the idea of American exceptionalism, emphasizing the tendency to prioritize and celebrate average achievements within the country over outstanding achievements from other nations. It suggests that even mediocre accomplishments by American individuals should be highly praised in comparison to the exceptional accomplishments of children from other countries. The quote may be interpreted as a call for hyper-nationalism and a focus on American identity, potentially reflecting a perception of superiority or dismissiveness towards the achievements of others.