Sacrifice-free excellence is unavailable to us. We are not gods. This is why cultural and workplace calls for “excellence”—calls for ever escalating betterment, progress, and improvement—are really, at root, a demand for more sacrifice, for greater allegiance, service, and loyalty to the institution, organization, or nation. Of course I could do “better” in various areas of my life. I could throw in more time, energy, or resources. But if I do so, what will I have to sacrifice?
