--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Consider these words from Lech Wałęsa: In…" description: "\"“Consider these words from Lech Wałęsa: In the past, you could stand with a gun behind a man who had a pick and a spade and tell him to dig a hole two ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/gordon-g-chang-10335_time_consider-these-words-from-lech-wa-sa-in_281099.jpg" --- # Consider these words from Lech Wałęsa: In the past, you… ![“Consider these words from Lech Wałęsa: In the past, you could stand with a gun behind a man who had a pick and a spade and tell him to dig a hole two hundred meters long. But you can’t put a man behind someone working creatively, behind a computer, and tell him, “Please devise something original.”…” quote by Gordon G. Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/gordon-g-chang-10335_time_consider-these-words-from-lech-wa-sa-in_281099.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/gordon-g-chang-10335_time_consider-these-words-from-lech-wa-sa-in_281099.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97b/gordon-g-chang-10335_time_consider-these-words-from-lech-wa-sa-in_281099.jpg) > ““Consider these words from Lech Wałęsa: In the past, you could stand with a gun behind a man who had a pick and a spade and tell him to dig a hole two hundred meters long. But you can’t put a man behind someone working creatively, behind a computer, and tell him, “Please devise something original.” There is no way to do it,”” [Gordon G. Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-g-chang/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work cannot be forced by authority; originality requires internal motivation and freedom. **In simple terms:** You can’t order creativity. Key Takeaway Allow autonomy for innovation. Themes creativity authority freedom Mood thoughtful inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - management - education - software development - artistic projects Key Concepts psychology motivation innovation Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders foster genuine creativity? - What conditions enable original thinking? A Different Perspective Creative output may still be limited by resources or expertise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [It is time to pick a side.Either we stand with the gun lobby or we join the president and stand up to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-is-time-to-pick-a-side-either-we-stand-with-the-gun-lobby-or-we/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [It's very tiring having other people tell you how much they dig you if you yourself don't dig you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/it-s-very-tiring-having-other-people-tell-you-how-much-they-dig-you/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [“Chains Stand Up To Gun-Toting Patrons Alexander C. 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