--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The system is only as good as the person…" description: "\"The system is only as good as the person programming it. If you don't have the follow-through, your system is useless. And by the way, it's that way in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e84/jamie-lee-curtis-3771_follow-through_the-system-is-only-as-good-as-the-person_913752.jpg" --- # The system is only as good as the person programming it… ![“The system is only as good as the person programming it. If you don't have the follow-through, your system is useless. And by the way, it's that way in parenting; it's that way in marriages.” quote by Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e84/jamie-lee-curtis-3771_follow-through_the-system-is-only-as-good-as-the-person_913752.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e84/jamie-lee-curtis-3771_follow-through_the-system-is-only-as-good-as-the-person_913752.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e84/jamie-lee-curtis-3771_follow-through_the-system-is-only-as-good-as-the-person_913752.jpg) > “The system is only as good as the person programming it. If you don't have the follow-through, your system is useless. And by the way, it's that way in parenting; it's that way in marriages.” [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Systems reflect the competence of their creators; neglect leads to failure. **In simple terms:** A system works only as well as its maker. Key Takeaway Ensure follow‑through in design. Themes technology relationships accountability Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type analytical practical When to use this quote - software development - parenting - marriage counseling Key Concepts systems thinking human factors Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure follow‑through? - What safeguards protect against neglect? A Different Perspective Systems can be misused despite good intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Follow through](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/follow-through/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriages/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) ## Related quotes > [Mum and Dad had high expectations of us as human beings - it wasn't just about education. It's a fantastic way to go about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/mum-and-dad-had-high-expectations-of-us-as-human-beings-it-wasn-t/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [For a very long time, people have been saying to me, "What if you want to do this approach with every kid?" For a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-w-greene/for-a-very-long-time-people-have-been-saying-to-me-what-if-you-want/) [Ross W. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-w-greene/) > [I'm a parent, especially when you've had the intense parenting the way I had. It's all in the bank. It's all in the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-elizondo/i-m-a-parent-especially-when-you-ve-had-the-intense-parenting-the-way/) [Hector Elizondo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-elizondo/) > [Who knows what the future holds? It's all on parenting, one way or another. I don't care what level it is, it comes back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lewis/who-knows-what-the-future-holds-it-s-all-on-parenting-one-way-or/) [Ray Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lewis/) > [I came to parenting the way most of us do - knowing nothing and trying to learn everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayim-bialik/i-came-to-parenting-the-way-most-of-us-do-knowing-nothing-and-trying/) [Mayim Bialik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayim-bialik/) > [This is following through on the market correction and a lot of mixed emotions, ... We had players who were with us in '03…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-beinfest/this-is-following-through-on-the-market-correction-and-a-lot-of-mixed/) Larry Beinfest > [With vision only, you get no follow-through. With enforcers only, the vision is realized but leaves a lot of wreckage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/with-vision-only-you-get-no-follow-through-with-enforcers-only-the/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [If I did only what I wanted to do, I would not be obedient to the Creator. Sometimes He wants us to do certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/if-i-did-only-what-i-wanted-to-do-i-would-not-be-obedient-to-the/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I released that I could crank out a song if I practiced it a lot. If I am in the practice of writing songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-hest/i-released-that-i-could-crank-out-a-song-if-i-practiced-it-a-lot-if-i/) Ari Hest > [ I am here \[in Washington\] following through on what I pledged to do. That's all I'm doing. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-am-here-in-washington-following-through-on-what-i-pledged-to-do/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Human beings absolutely follow through on who they believe they are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/human-beings-absolutely-follow-through-on-who-they-believe-they-are/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [What makes success is not your genius idea, but the execution and follow-through around it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/what-makes-success-is-not-your-genius-idea-but-the-execution-and/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Actually, now I don't even eat that much anymore. If you tried to follow me now, you'd be in trouble. You wouldn't be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby-albarado/actually-now-i-don-t-even-eat-that-much-anymore-if-you-tried-to/) Robby Albarado > [The young and dynamic and idealistic people in the square do not have the chance to organise themselves politically, to be able to follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/the-young-and-dynamic-and-idealistic-people-in-the-square-do-not-have/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [This golfer has a wicked slice. And quite a follow-through. That's why his partner, who stood too close, Is on the green in two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armour/this-golfer-has-a-wicked-slice-and-quite-a-follow-through-that-s-why/) [Richard Armour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armour/) ## More by Jamie Lee Curtis > [I have to be careful to get out before I become the grotesque caricature of a hatchet-faced woman with big knockers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-have-to-be-careful-to-get-out-before-i-become-the-grotesque/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [I'm uninterested in superheroes. I am only interested in real stories, real people, real connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-m-uninterested-in-superheroes-i-am-only-interested-in-real-stories/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [If you just watch a teenager, you see a lot of uncertainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/if-you-just-watch-a-teenager-you-see-a-lot-of-uncertainty/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [It's not that I'm retired; I just no longer accept acting work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/it-s-not-that-i-m-retired-i-just-no-longer-accept-acting-work/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [Because I know I'm an addict, and I know I'm an alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/because-i-know-i-m-an-addict-and-i-know-i-m-an-alcoholic/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [I guess I want very much to be recognized for my abilities, for the work I put in, and yet it's still always there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-guess-i-want-very-much-to-be-recognized-for-my-abilities-for-the/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [You can't live a truthful life without regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/you-can-t-live-a-truthful-life-without-regret/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [Exchange the words 'have to' with 'get to.' Exchange the word 'can't' with 'unwilling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/exchange-the-words-have-to-with-get-to-exchange-the-word-can-t-with/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [The parameters are such that I don't get offered a lot of work. I'm sure most directors hear my list of don'ts and say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/the-parameters-are-such-that-i-don-t-get-offered-a-lot-of-work-i-m/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [It's very hard, when you're a famous person, to "de-famous" your home, but tokens of my fame just felt like a burden for my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/it-s-very-hard-when-you-re-a-famous-person-to-de-famous-your-home-but/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [My mother was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. There are moments when I remember her beauty, unadorned, unposed, not in some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/my-mother-was-the-most-beautiful-woman-i-have-ever-seen-there-are/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [Now all of a sudden I'm so less interested in pretending to be a lot of other people, and much more interested in being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/now-all-of-a-sudden-i-m-so-less-interested-in-pretending-to-be-a-lot/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [The only two questions that need to be asked each day are: Did I live wisely? Did I love well?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/the-only-two-questions-that-need-to-be-asked-each-day-are-did-i-live/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [When I know something I like, I just want to replicate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/when-i-know-something-i-like-i-just-want-to-replicate-it/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [To make new friends you have be willing to put in the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/to-make-new-friends-you-have-be-willing-to-put-in-the-time/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) [Explore all 122 Jamie Lee Curtis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) ## More Follow through quotes > [This golfer has a wicked slice. And quite a follow-through. That's why his partner, who stood too close, Is on the green in two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armour/this-golfer-has-a-wicked-slice-and-quite-a-follow-through-that-s-why/) [Richard Armour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armour/) > [The young and dynamic and idealistic people in the square do not have the chance to organise themselves politically, to be able to follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/the-young-and-dynamic-and-idealistic-people-in-the-square-do-not-have/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Actually, now I don't even eat that much anymore. If you tried to follow me now, you'd be in trouble. You wouldn't be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby-albarado/actually-now-i-don-t-even-eat-that-much-anymore-if-you-tried-to/) Robby Albarado > [What makes success is not your genius idea, but the execution and follow-through around it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/what-makes-success-is-not-your-genius-idea-but-the-execution-and/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Human beings absolutely follow through on who they believe they are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/human-beings-absolutely-follow-through-on-who-they-believe-they-are/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [ I am here \[in Washington\] following through on what I pledged to do. That's all I'm doing. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-am-here-in-washington-following-through-on-what-i-pledged-to-do/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I released that I could crank out a song if I practiced it a lot. If I am in the practice of writing songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-hest/i-released-that-i-could-crank-out-a-song-if-i-practiced-it-a-lot-if-i/) Ari Hest > [If I did only what I wanted to do, I would not be obedient to the Creator. Sometimes He wants us to do certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/if-i-did-only-what-i-wanted-to-do-i-would-not-be-obedient-to-the/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [With vision only, you get no follow-through. With enforcers only, the vision is realized but leaves a lot of wreckage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/with-vision-only-you-get-no-follow-through-with-enforcers-only-the/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [This is following through on the market correction and a lot of mixed emotions, ... We had players who were with us in '03…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-beinfest/this-is-following-through-on-the-market-correction-and-a-lot-of-mixed/) Larry Beinfest > [Personal excellence can be achieved by a visionary goal, through planning, dedicated execution, and total follow-through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/personal-excellence-can-be-achieved-by-a-visionary-goal-through/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The immature mind hops from one thing to another; the mature mind seeks to follow through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-immature-mind-hops-from-one-thing-to-another-the-mature-mind/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [True believers in Christ, are we going to follow through and profess Him wherever we go?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-folau/true-believers-in-christ-are-we-going-to-follow-through-and-profess/) [Israel Folau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-folau/) > [House and Senate Republicans are now united in adopting earmark bans. We hope President Obama will follow through on his support for an earmark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boehner/house-and-senate-republicans-are-now-united-in-adopting-earmark-bans/) [John Boehner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boehner/) > [Visualizing, creative mental picturing, is no more difficult than what you do when you remember some scene out of the past, or worry about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/visualizing-creative-mental-picturing-is-no-more-difficult-than-what/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) [Browse all 124 Follow through quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/follow-through/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The system is only as good as the person programming it. If you don't have the follow-through, your system is useless. 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