Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them. John W. Gardner More Quotes by John W. Gardner More Quotes From John W. Gardner It is one of the ironies of history that reformers so often misjudge the consequences of their reforms. John W. Gardner reformersironyreform More and more Americans feel threatened by runaway technology, by large-scale organization, by overcrowding. More and more Americans are appalled by the ravages of industrial progress, by the defacement of nature, by man-made ugliness. If our society continues at its present rate to become less livable as it becomes more affluent, we promise all to end up in sumptuous misery. John W. Gardner technologynaturemen Paralysis of leadership is due in part to the unseen grip of the special interests. John W. Gardner unseenpoliticsspecial Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality. John W. Gardner When Alexander the Great visited Diogenes and asked whether he could do anything for the famed teacher, Diogenes replied 'Only stand out of my light.' Perhaps some day we shall know how to heighten creativity. Until then, one of the best things we can do for creative men and women is to stand out of their light. John W. Gardner The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exaulted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy...neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water. John W. Gardner One of the reasons mature people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure. John W. Gardner We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems. John W. Gardner We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems. John W. Gardner We are all faced with a series of great opportunities - brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems. John W. Gardner opportunitiesproblemsgreatseries It's a staggering transition for high school students that found they could study five hours a week and make As and Bs. John W. Gardner highhigh-schoolstudentsschool
