Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Few have excellence thrust upon them ... They achieve it. They do not achieve it… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
Whoever I am, or whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my reach. — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
The idea for which this nation stands will not survive if the highest goal free man can set themselves is an amiable… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
We cannot have islands of excellence in a sea of slovenly indifference to standards. — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them. — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
Some people may have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them. They achieve it. They do not achieve… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
Excellence implies striving for the highest standards in every phase of life. — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
“We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.” — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
Tax reduction has an almost irresistible appeal to the politician, and it is no doubt also gratifying to the citizen. It means more dollars… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
We get richer and richer in filthier and filthier communities until we reach a final state of affluent misery - crocus on a garbage… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
At home we have lost the capacity to see what is before us. Travel shakes us out of our apathy, and we regain an… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Few have excellence thrust upon them ... They achieve it. They do not achieve it unwittingly by… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
Leaders come in many forms, with many styles and diverse qualities. There are quiet leaders and leaders one can hear in the next county.… — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden of pursuing his education. — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher. — John W. Gardner Copy Share Image
