“All people should strive to learn before they die: what they are running from, and to, and why.”
“You’ve got to think about big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.”
“It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.”
“This capacity to shape a vision of what can be achieved, and to share the vision with others so that it becomes their own, is one of the most important elements of leadership.”
“It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant—first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served.”
“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”
“Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul, then the way it treats its children.”
“Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only the last person puts out the fire. None of us know where we stand in line. We may be here simply to pass a bucket; we may be called on to play a major role. In either case, all we can do is think, act, and say. Let us direct our thoughts, words, and actions to peace. That is all we can do. Let the results be what they will be.”
“Psychologists tell us that money is a satisfier, not a motivator… Recognition is. That’s why we do what we do… Recognition is critical to self-esteem. Without it, we feel undervalued, even insignificant. Money is nice, sure. But once you establish a basis of monetary rewards, without the accompanying verbal and social affirmation, the employee will quickly become disgruntled and ask for more. Eventually, more will never be enough.”
