--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only way to remain great is to keep…" description: "\"The only way to remain great is to keep on applying the fundamental principles that made you great.\" — James C. Collins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/james-c-collins-2276_fundamental-principl_the-only-way-to-remain-great-is-to-keep_2659523.png" --- # The only way to remain great is to keep on applying the… ![“The only way to remain great is to keep on applying the fundamental principles that made you great.” quote by James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/james-c-collins-2276_fundamental-principl_the-only-way-to-remain-great-is-to-keep_2659523.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/james-c-collins-2276_fundamental-principl_the-only-way-to-remain-great-is-to-keep_2659523.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/james-c-collins-2276_fundamental-principl_the-only-way-to-remain-great-is-to-keep_2659523.png) > “The only way to remain great is to keep on applying the fundamental principles that made you great.” [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sustaining excellence requires continuously applying the core principles that originally led to success. **In simple terms:** Keep using the habits that made you great. Key Takeaway Stay consistent with proven principles. Themes excellence principles consistency Mood reflective motivational Type leadership self‑help When to use this quote - business growth - personal development - team management Key Concepts habit formation leadership strategic focus Questions to Reflect On - Which principles still serve you today? - How do you adapt core habits to new challenges? A Different Perspective Over-reliance on past methods may ignore evolving contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fundamental principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamental-principles/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) ## Related quotes > [ The fundamental principle \[of settlement work\] remains: that people shall take up their residence in industrial communities, giving what they may have of public… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-wald/the-fundamental-principle-of-settlement-work-remains-that-people/) [Lillian Wald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-wald/) > [ It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another \[for the Executive\] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the-laws-and-another-for-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The old fundamental principles must continue to apply, even in our changing society: Democracy knows neither master nor slave. Equal education opportunities for all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-old-fundamental-principles-must-continue-to-apply-even-in-our/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [Geometry, like arithmetic, requires for its logical development only a small number of simple, fundamental principles. These fundamental principles are called the axioms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hilbert/geometry-like-arithmetic-requires-for-its-logical-development-only-a/) [David Hilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hilbert/) > [There is a fundamental principle. People have the right to defend their country from foreign occupiers, and people have the right to defend their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/there-is-a-fundamental-principle-people-have-the-right-to-defend/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [In Oceania at the present day, Science, in the old sense, has almost ceased to exist. In Newspeak there is no word for 'Science.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-oceania-at-the-present-day-science-in-the-old-sense-has-almost/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Kantian ethical theory distinguishes three levels: First, that of a fundamental principle (the categorical imperative, formulated in three main ways in Kant's Groundwork); second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kantian-ethical-theory-distinguishes-three-levels-first-that-of-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [The Fundamental Principle that governs - or ought to govern -human affairs if we wish to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or pointless utopias, is negotiation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/the-fundamental-principle-that-governs-or-ought-to-govern-human/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [Hooray for differences! Without them, there would be no harmony. In principles, great clarity. In practices, great charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chieko-n-okazaki/hooray-for-differences-without-them-there-would-be-no-harmony-in/) [Chieko N. Okazaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chieko-n-okazaki/) > [“To become good at anything you have to know how to apply basic principles. To become great at it, you have to know when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/to-become-good-at-anything-you-have-to-know-how-to-apply-basic/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [Great principles, great ideals know no nationality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-garvey/great-principles-great-ideals-know-no-nationality/) [Marcus Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-garvey/) > [To derive two or three general Principles of Motion from Phænomena, and afterwards to tell us how the Properties and Actions of all corporeal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/to-derive-two-or-three-general-principles-of-motion-from-ph-nomena/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [But if we are to remain a great empire, we must have a greater understanding of the hearts and minds of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/but-if-we-are-to-remain-a-great-empire-we-must-have-a-greater/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [In the end things must be as they are and have always been--the great things remain for the great, the abysses for the profound,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-the-end-things-must-be-as-they-are-and-have-always-been-the-great/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [For "I" to become "we" and yet remain "I," is one of the great challenges of marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/for-i-to-become-we-and-yet-remain-i-is-one-of-the-great-challenges-of/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) ## More by James C. Collins > [No matter what. Wherever your mind wanders, it seems to turn up at the same Field of Dreams. It's the vision you wake up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/no-matter-what-wherever-your-mind-wanders-it-seems-to-turn-up-at-the/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“This might not sound very exciting (inventory management is not something that tends to rivet readers), but think of it this way: Imagine walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/this-might-not-sound-very-exciting-inventory-management-is-not/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“Merck • Corporate social responsibility • Unequivocal excellence in all aspects of the company • Science-based innovation • Honesty and integrity • Profit, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/merck-corporate-social-responsibility-unequivocal-excellence-in-all/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Greatest danger is not failure, but be successful and not know why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/greatest-danger-is-not-failure-but-be-successful-and-not-know-why/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“If you have the right people on the bus, they will be self-motivated. The real question then becomes: How do you manage in such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/if-you-have-the-right-people-on-the-bus-they-will-be-self-motivated/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“2. Core purpose is an organization’s most fundamental reason for being. It should not be confused with the company’s current product lines or customer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/2-core-purpose-is-an-organization-s-most-fundamental-reason-for-being/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [The drive for progress doesn't wait for the external world to say "It's time to change."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-drive-for-progress-doesn-t-wait-for-the-external-world-to-say-it/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [The secret to a successful retirement is to find your retirement sweet spot. The sweet spot is where your passions, what you do best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-secret-to-a-successful-retirement-is-to-find-your-retirement/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Managing your problems can only make you good, whereas building your opportunities is the only way to become great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/managing-your-problems-can-only-make-you-good-whereas-building-your/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Creative leadership impact increases in your 50's. When I turn 50 I want to say, "Nice start!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/creative-leadership-impact-increases-in-your-50-s-when-i-turn-50-i/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“The fact that something is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” is irrelevant, unless it fits within the three circles. A great company will have many once-in-a-lifetime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/the-fact-that-something-is-a-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity-is/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Don't take care of your career. Take care of your people. They will take care of your career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/don-t-take-care-of-your-career-take-care-of-your-people-they-will/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Indeed, the real question is not, "Why greatness?" but "What work makes you feel compelled to try to create greatness?" if you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/indeed-the-real-question-is-not-why-greatness-but-what-work-makes-you/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Not one of the good-to-great companies focused obsessively on growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/not-one-of-the-good-to-great-companies-focused-obsessively-on-growth/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [“Compare Bethlehem Steel to Nucor. Both companies operated in the steel industry and produced hard-to-differentiate products. Both companies faced the competitive challenge of cheap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/compare-bethlehem-steel-to-nucor-both-companies-operated-in-the-steel/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) [Explore all 175 James C. Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) ## More Fundamental principles quotes > [ The fundamental principle \[of settlement work\] remains: that people shall take up their residence in industrial communities, giving what they may have of public… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-wald/the-fundamental-principle-of-settlement-work-remains-that-people/) [Lillian Wald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-wald/) > [The Fundamental Principle that governs - or ought to govern -human affairs if we wish to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or pointless utopias, is negotiation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/the-fundamental-principle-that-governs-or-ought-to-govern-human/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [Kantian ethical theory distinguishes three levels: First, that of a fundamental principle (the categorical imperative, formulated in three main ways in Kant's Groundwork); second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kantian-ethical-theory-distinguishes-three-levels-first-that-of-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [In Oceania at the present day, Science, in the old sense, has almost ceased to exist. In Newspeak there is no word for 'Science.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-oceania-at-the-present-day-science-in-the-old-sense-has-almost/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [There is a fundamental principle. People have the right to defend their country from foreign occupiers, and people have the right to defend their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/there-is-a-fundamental-principle-people-have-the-right-to-defend/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Geometry, like arithmetic, requires for its logical development only a small number of simple, fundamental principles. These fundamental principles are called the axioms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hilbert/geometry-like-arithmetic-requires-for-its-logical-development-only-a/) [David Hilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hilbert/) > [The old fundamental principles must continue to apply, even in our changing society: Democracy knows neither master nor slave. Equal education opportunities for all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/the-old-fundamental-principles-must-continue-to-apply-even-in-our/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/one-of-the-grand-fundamental-principles-of-mormonism-is-to-receive/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [ It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another \[for the Executive\] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the-laws-and-another-for-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Education belongs pre-eminently to the church ... neutral or lay schools from which religion is excluded are contrary to the fundamental principles of education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/education-belongs-pre-eminently-to-the-church-neutral-or-lay-schools/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [What is the structure of government that will best guard against the precipitate counsels and factious combinations for unjust purposes, without a sacrifice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/what-is-the-structure-of-government-that-will-best-guard-against-the/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Let each of us accept the truth of the following statement and try to make it our most fundamental principle: Christ's teaching will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/let-each-of-us-accept-the-truth-of-the-following-statement-and-try-to/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [Temporary deviations from fundamental principles are always more or less dangerous. When the first pretext fails, those who become interested in prolonging the evil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/temporary-deviations-from-fundamental-principles-are-always-more-or/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Friendship is the grand fundamental principle of Mormonism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/friendship-is-the-grand-fundamental-principle-of-mormonism/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [Through TV and moving pictures a child may see more violence in thirty minutes than the average adult experiences in a lifetime. What children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fredric-wertham/through-tv-and-moving-pictures-a-child-may-see-more-violence-in/) [Fredric Wertham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fredric-wertham/) [Browse all 116 Fundamental principles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamental-principles/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only way to remain great is to keep on applying the fundamental principles that made you great.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James C. 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