"Most of our pocket wisdom is conceived for the use of mediocre people, to discourage them from ambitious attempts, and generally console them in their mediocrity"

This quote by Robert Louis Stevenson suggests that much of the recommendations we receive is designed to keep us from reaching our complete potential. It indicates that most of people are mediocre, and that the wisdom we are provided is meant to keep us material with our mediocrity. Stevenson indicates that this wisdom is suggested to discourage us from trying anything enthusiastic, and rather to accept our mediocrity. He suggests that this wisdom is indicated to console us in our mediocrity, instead of to challenge us to reach our full potential. This quote motivates us to think critically about the suggestions we receive, and to question whether it is truly indicated to assist us reach our objectives, or if it is implied to keep us material with our existing circumstance.