French mathematician Andre’ Weil once noted that “The first-rate man will try to surround himself with his equals, or better if possible. The second-rate man will surround himself with third-rate men. And the third-rate man will surround himself with fifth-rate men.”
Historian and author Russell Lynes advised us that “The only graceful way to accept an insult is to ignore it; if you can’t ignore it, top it; if you can’t top it, laugh at it; if you can’t laugh at it, it’s probably deserved.”
