"He was a silly guy. Out - do the other guy. That was his effort at all times"

In this quote, Cab Calloway is explaining someone as a "silly guy" who always tried to outdo others. This individual's primary focus and objective was to be much better than anyone else, and they put in effort to accomplish this at all times. This might recommend that this person was competitive and perhaps even a bit insecure, continuously looking for recognition and acknowledgment from others. Nevertheless, using the word "silly" likewise implies that this individual's efforts may have been seen as foolish or unnecessary by others. In general, this quote highlights the concept of somebody who is driven by a need to be the best, even if it suggests being a bit ridiculous while doing so.