We pay a heavy price for our fear of failure. It is a powerful obstacle to growth. It assures the progressive narrowing of the personality and prevents exploration and experimentation. There is no learning without some difficulty and fumbling. If… — 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 in his pocket, dollars that he can spend if inflation doesn't consume them first. But dollars in his pocket won't buy him clean streets or an adequate police force or good schools or clean air and… — John W. Gardner Copy Share
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
