Quotes About Leadership

Probably in most cases the greatest wisdom of a constitutional king would show itself in well-considered inaction.

Free government is self-government. A government of the people by the people. The best government of this sort is that which the people think best.

The idea that the head of the Government is the head of society is so fixed in the ideas of mankind that only a few philosophers regard it as historical and accidental, though when the matter is examined, that conclusion is certain and even obvious.

The leading statesmen in a free country have great momentary power. They settle the conversation of mankind. It is they who, by a great speech or two, determine what shall be said and what shall be written for long after.

A statesman ought to show his own nature, and talk in a palpable way what is to him important truth. And so he will both guide and benefit the nation. But if, especially at a time when great ignorance has an unusual power in public affairs, he chooses to accept and reiterate the decisions of that ignorance, he is only the hireling of the nation, and does little save hurt it.

The mode of governing the country, according to the existing laws, is mostly worn into a rut, and most administrations move in it because it is easier to move there than anywhere else.

It is an inevitable defect, that bureaucrats will care more for routine than for results.

The experiment of a strictly Parliamentary Republic—of a Republic where the Parliament appoints the executive—is being tried in France at an extreme disadvantage, because in France a Parliament is unusually likely to be bad, and unusually likely also to be free enough to show its badness.

We could not do every day out of our own heads all we have to do. We should accomplish nothing, for all our energies would be frittered away in minor attempts at petty improvement. One man, too, would go off from the known track in one direction, and one in another; so that when a crisis came requiring massed combination, no two men would be near enough to act together.

In the course of a long reign a sagacious king would acquire an experience with which few Ministers could contend.

You have not a perception of the first elements in this matter till you know that government by a CLUB is a standing wonder.

Religion is the best weapon to rule or use a nation if you know how to use it.

Youth is the decider of the future of a nation and teachers are their guiders or trainers.

You know what kind of person it takes to run for President? Not normal. They could start out okay, but by the time they reach that level they've sold their soul to the devil so many times and stomped the guts out of enough people that they are definitely not like you and me, not even close.

Bigger dreams of some black man who will weld all blacks together into a mighty fist.

Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.

Do pleasant things yourself, but unpleasant things through others.

Ambitious men ought to follow curved lines, the shortest road in politics.

To beat a retreat with the honors of war has always been the triumph of the ablest generals.

She who is really a wife, one in heart, flesh, and bone, must follow wherever he leads, in whom her life, her strength, her pride, and happiness are centered.

The heavy curtain of Bureaucracy was drawn between the right thing to be done and the right man to do it.

Truly great people emit a light that warms the hearts of those around them.

Some people represent authority without ever possessing any of their own.

Leadership is not a power, it is an opportunity to discover the possibilities, overcome the limitations and a responsibility to make new leaders.