I Source Admire and Crave Competence In Any Field From Adultery to Zoology
This striking statement captures a profound respect for mastery. It suggests that true skill, wherever it appears, deserves our admiration. The quote’s power lies in its provocative range, spanning from the morally ambiguous to the scientifically rigorous. It forces us to consider expertise as a virtue in itself, separate from the context in which it is applied. But where did this memorable and often-cited aphorism come from? Its journey through literary history is more complex than a simple attribution might suggest.
The Original Author: H. L. Mencken
The intellectual seed of this idea belongs to the sharp-witted American journalist and satirist H. L. Mencken. He was known for his cynical and incisive commentary on society. The original thought appeared in the preface to his 1943 autobiographical book, “Heathen Days 1890-1936.” However, Mencken’s original wording was far more elaborate and characteristically cantankerous. He did not express a craving for competence but rather a grudging, almost bitter, admiration for its rarity.
Mencken wrote that he struggled to imagine competence as anything but admirable, given how infrequently one encounters it. He then delivered the famous line, noting that anyone who possessed genuine skill, in any field “from adultery to zoology,” was a rare specimen indeed. In his classic style, he concluded that such individuals were the only people worthy of the oil it would take to fry them in Hell. This full passage reveals his deep-seated disdain for mediocrity alongside a profound respect for excellence. It was a backhanded compliment delivered with signature Mencken flair.
Spreading the Word
Mencken’s work quickly found a broader audience. Shortly after its publication, “The New York Times Book Review” featured “Heathen Days” in February 1943. The review reproduced the entire passage, introducing Mencken’s unique perspective to a wide readership. Consequently, newspapers across the country picked up on the book. For example, “The Courier-Journal” in Louisville, Kentucky, highlighted the quote in its own review the following month. These early mentions helped cement the connection between Mencken and the admiration for wide-ranging competence. However, they always presented the idea within his longer, more cynical framework. The short, punchy version we know today had not yet emerged.
A Quote’s Transformation
Memorable ideas often get distilled over time. Long passages become short, quotable phrases. This is precisely what happened to Mencken’s observation. The evolution took a significant turn more than fifty years later with the work of British-American journalist Alistair Cooke. In his 1999 book, “Memories of the Great & the Good,” Cooke presented a much more concise version of the sentiment. He framed it as something Mencken once said directly to him.
According to Cooke, Mencken lamented the growing number of errors in newspaper copy. Source He then supposedly declared, “I admire and crave simple competence in any field from adultery to zoology.” This version is cleaner, more direct, and arguably more powerful. Yet, its origin is mysterious. Mencken passed away in 1956, decades before Cooke published this account. Furthermore, there is no other record of Mencken ever saying or writing this exact phrase. It appears to be Cooke’s polished summary of Mencken’s known sentiment.
Cementing the Modern Version
The shorter, more elegant phrase quickly gained traction. Its brevity made it perfect for columns, articles, and collections of quotations. Syndicated columnist George F. Will used Cooke’s version in a November 1999 column, applying it to a discussion about corporate strategy. This usage helped propel the condensed quote into mainstream discourse. It demonstrated the saying’s versatility and timeless relevance.
Subsequently, quotation compilations began to feature the shorter version while still attributing it to Mencken. For instance, the 2008 book “Great Quotations That Shaped the Western World” includes the Cooke version but credits Mencken as the author. This common practice illustrates how attributions can become simplified over time. The spirit of the quote belongs to Mencken, but the specific, popular wording likely belongs to Cooke or the natural process of oral and written retelling. The core idea survived, even as the exact phrasing transformed.
Why the Quote Endures
The lasting appeal of this quote is rooted in its universal truth and clever construction. It resonates with anyone who has ever been frustrated by incompetence or inspired by true mastery. The phrase celebrates expertise for its own sake. It argues that the dedication, practice, and intelligence required to achieve a high level of skill are inherently valuable, regardless of the discipline.
The brilliant pairing of “adultery” with “zoology” is key to its impact. This alphabetical bookending covers the entire spectrum of human endeavor. It juxtaposes a moral transgression with a formal science, suggesting that competence can exist anywhere. This provocative comparison grabs attention and forces the reader to think. It’s a powerful reminder that excellence is a universal quality, not confined to noble or socially approved pursuits. Ultimately, the quote champions the pursuit of doing something, anything, exceptionally well in a world that often settles for “good enough.”
In summary, while H. L. Mencken is the originator of the sentiment, the popular phrasing “I admire and crave competence…” is a later distillation. Its journey from a lengthy, cynical passage to a sharp, memorable aphorism highlights how ideas evolve. Nevertheless, the central message remains unchanged. It is a timeless and witty tribute to the profound value of expertise in any form.