Quotes About Wisdom

Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them.

Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.

Trying to grow up is hurting. You make mistakes. You try to learn from them, and when you don't, it hurts even more.

The most important quality of leadership is intellectual honesty. The reality principle - the ability to see the world as it really is, not as you wish it were.

Before I married, I had three theories about raising children and no children. Now, I have three children and no theories.

I'm not dismissing the value of higher education; I'm simply saying it comes at the expense of experience.

I am convinced that we must train not only the head, but the heart and hand as well.

A true Leader asks advice, when he has time to think; but he never asks advice in a crisis. He acts.

I think America has more than enough maturity and intelligence to start exercising its world leadership responsibly.

A ruler should be slow to punish and swift to reward.

Statesmanship is developed in the hard knocks of general experience, private and public.

I really believe my greatest service is in the many unwise steps I prevent.

Masterly retreat is in itself a victory.

Wise leaders generally have wise counselors because it takes a wise person themselves to distinguish them.

I started young but at every turn, listening provided a foundation for my leadership. I can say categorically that all the really excellent leaders I have known were, in my view, excellent listeners.

Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

Ill can he rule the great that cannot reach the small.

Leadership doesn't come from age.

The leader teaches more through being than through doing. The quality of one's silence conveys more than long speeches.

I try never to let my schooling get in the way of my education.

Listen more than you talk.

America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking.

By instinct we-leaders-want to run hard all the time; by intellect we know this is not possible. Reconciling those two positions in the context of leadership is an ongoing challenge.

Never hold discussions with the monkey when the organ grinder is in the room.