People tend to believe that good fortune consists of equal parts talent, hard work, and sheer luck. It's hard to deny the roles of the latter two. As to talent, I would only say it consists primarily in finding the right moment to step in. Jack McDevitt More Quotes by Jack McDevitt More Quotes From Jack McDevitt The real problem has to do with the inability by people to admit that a position they've held a long time might be wrong. That's all. Not that it is. Just that it might be. I don't know why it is, but we tend to fall in love with things we believe, Threaten them, and you threaten us. Jack McDevitt falling-in-love real believe Faith is conviction without evidence, and sometimes even in the face of contrary evidence. In some quarters, this quality is perceived as a virtue. Jack McDevitt quality faces sometimes Life is a walk in the fog. Most people don't know that. They're fooled by the sunlight into thinking they can see what's ahead. But it's the reason they are forever getting lost or falling into ditches or committing matrimony. Jack McDevitt fog fall thinking Courage is perhaps our most admirable trait. The man, or woman, who possesses it is able to plunge ahead, despite dangers, despite warnings, despite hazards of all kinds, to attack the task at hand. Often, it is indistinguishable from stupidity. Jack McDevitt stupidity men hands Faith has its price. When misfortune strikes the true believer, he assumes he has done something to deserve punishment, but isn't quite certain what. The realist, recognizing that he lives in a Darwinian universe, is simply grateful to have made it to another sunset. Jack McDevitt punishment sunset grateful There are few professions whose primary objective is to advance the cause of humanity rather than simply to make money or accrue power. Among this limited group of humanitarians I would number teachers, nurses, bookstore owners, and bartenders. Jack McDevitt nurse numbers teacher Talking with most people usually involves a search for truth. Talking with congressmen is strictly special effects. Jack McDevitt special talking people The uplifters are forever running around telling blockheads they would do better if they would believe in themselves. But they already do. That is why they are blockheads. Jack McDevitt forever running believe It is not faith per se that creates the problem; it is conviction, the notion that one cannot be wrong, that opposing views are necessarily invalid and may even be intolerable. Jack McDevitt problem views may There is no justice. There are occasional acts of vengeance, or regret, but there's no real justice. In the natural scheme of things, it is not possible. Jack McDevitt regret real justice When things go wrong, the standard management strategy is to decide who takes the blame. This should be an underling, as far down the chain as possible, but preferably with some visibility so people know management means business. Jack McDevitt visibility mean people If you want data to survive, carve it in rock. Jack McDevitt data rocks want But, come to think of it, there was no need to wait. Time travelers don't have to wait for anybody. Jack McDevitt waiting needs thinking The Peacekeepers had a tradition that every problem had a solution. It was a nice slogan. Wasn't true, but it sounded good. Jack McDevitt tradition nice problem So we have progressed to the point where we can move politicians around faster than light. I'm not sure I see the advantage. Jack McDevitt politician light moving Put the money into schools. Rational ones that train young minds to think, to demand that persons in authority show the evidence for the ideas they push. Do that, and we won't need to provide a world for the Sacred Brethren who, given the opportunity, would run everyone else off the planet. Jack McDevitt opportunity running school ... the truth is that when your people don't tell you what you need to know, it's a failure of leadership. Jack McDevitt truth-is people needs The term congressional hearing is an oxymoron. No congressional hearing is ever called to gather information. Rather, it is an exercise designed strictly for posturing, by people who have already made up their minds, looking for ammunition to support their positions. Jack McDevitt support exercise people The secret to a successful career in virtually any field is good public relations. Forget results. Forget the facts. Perception is all that matters. Jack McDevitt careers perception successful Sometimes the cost of integrity is the loss of a friend. Jack McDevitt cost loss integrity
