--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am pragmatic. That which works, works…" description: "\"I am pragmatic. That which works, works, and theory can go screw itself. However, my pragmatism also extends to maintainability, which is why I also wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4f/linus-torvalds-1512_done_i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-an_2772644.jpg" --- # I am pragmatic. That which works, works, and theory can go… ![“I am pragmatic. That which works, works, and theory can go screw itself. However, my pragmatism also extends to maintainability, which is why I also want it done well.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4f/linus-torvalds-1512_done_i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-an_2772644.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4f/linus-torvalds-1512_done_i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-an_2772644.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4f/linus-torvalds-1512_done_i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-an_2772644.jpg) > “I am pragmatic. That which works, works, and theory can go screw itself. However, my pragmatism also extends to maintainability, which is why I also want it done well.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing practical solutions while ensuring code quality and maintainability. **In simple terms:** Practical work must also be well‑done. Key Takeaway Balance usefulness with clean design. Themes pragmatism software engineering quality Mood focused determined Type technical advice When to use this quote - building features - refactoring legacy code - team code reviews Key Concepts maintainability efficiency trade‑offs Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide when to prioritize speed over elegance? - What standards ensure long‑term maintainability? A Different Perspective Neglecting theory can lead to hidden bugs later. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Pragmatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatic/) [Pragmatic Works](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatic-works-3253681/) [Pragmatism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatism/) [Pragmatism Extends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatism-extends-3253680/) [Screw Pragmatism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screw-pragmatism-3253679/) [Screws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screws/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [Idealism without pragmatism is impotent. Pragmatism without idealism is meaningless. The key to effective leadership is pragmatic idealism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/idealism-without-pragmatism-is-impotent-pragmatism-without-idealism/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [“Lovers tend to be philosophical, achievers are practical.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/lovers-tend-to-be-philosophical-achievers-are-practical/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“A painting shouldn't be just a picture, it should be a philosophy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/a-painting-shouldn-t-be-just-a-picture-it-should-be-a-philosophy/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Man is by nature a pragmatic materialist, a mechanic, a lover of gadgets and gadgetry; and these are the qualities that characterize the "establishment"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gould-davis/man-is-by-nature-a-pragmatic-materialist-a-mechanic-a-lover-of/) [Elizabeth Gould Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gould-davis/) > [“In meetings philosophy might work, on the field practicality works.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/in-meetings-philosophy-might-work-on-the-field-practicality-works/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“Pragmatism is good prevention for problems.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/pragmatism-is-good-prevention-for-problems/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“A photograph shouldn't be just a picture, it should be a philosophy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/a-photograph-shouldn-t-be-just-a-picture-it-should-be-a-philosophy/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Utilitarianism is inherently pragmatic - in fact, I prefer to call it "deep pragmatism." Humans have real limitations, obligations, and frailties, so the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-greene/utilitarianism-is-inherently-pragmatic-in-fact-i-prefer-to-call-it/) [Joshua Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-greene/) > [Scientific method is the way to truth, but it affords, even in principle, no unique definition of truth. Any so-called pragmatic definition of truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-van-orman-quine/scientific-method-is-the-way-to-truth-but-it-affords-even-in/) [Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-van-orman-quine/) > [I'm generally a very pragmatic person: that which works, works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-m-generally-a-very-pragmatic-person-that-which-works-works/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I like to say that Bobby Fischer was the greatest player ever. But what made Fischer a genius was his ability to blend an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-pandolfini/i-like-to-say-that-bobby-fischer-was-the-greatest-player-ever-but/) [Bruce Pandolfini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-pandolfini/) > [Justice Sandra Day O'Connor brought critical qualities to the high court that not everybody thinks are qualities - I happen to think they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/justice-sandra-day-o-connor-brought-critical-qualities-to-the-high/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“When Lehman Brothers collapsed on September 15, 2008, and inaugurated the biggest crisis since the 1930s, there were no real alternatives to hand. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutger-bregman/when-lehman-brothers-collapsed-on-september-15-2008-and-inaugurated/) [Rutger Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutger-bregman/) > [“Our minds thus grow in spots; and like grease-spots, the spots spread. But we let them spread as little as possible: we keep unaltered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/our-minds-thus-grow-in-spots-and-like-grease-spots-the-spots-spread/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) [Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More Done quotes > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [Usually male directors have to use foul language to get the job done. But I never came down to that level as being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-khosla-kumar/usually-male-directors-have-to-use-foul-language-to-get-the-job-done/) [Divya Khosla Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-khosla-kumar/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously, it's just a chore, like any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua/i-don-t-enjoy-killing-but-when-done-righteously-it-s-just-a-chore/) [Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua/) > [Of everything I have done, 'The Archers' always gets the most excitement; there's a sort of uncontrollable joy from fans of the program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/of-everything-i-have-done-the-archers-always-gets-the-most-excitement/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) [Browse all 25,653 Done quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am pragmatic. That which works, works, and theory can go screw itself. However, my pragmatism also extends to maintainability, which is why I also want it done well.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Linus Torvalds" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-and-theory-can-go-screw-itself/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Done" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-and-theory-can-go-screw-itself/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4f/linus-torvalds-1512_done_i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-an_2772644.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4f/linus-torvalds-1512_done_i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-an_2772644.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4f/linus-torvalds-1512_done_i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-an_2772644.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am pragmatic. That which works, works, and theory can go screw itself. However, my pragmatism also extends…” — Linus Torvalds", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Linus Torvalds", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am pragmatic. That which works,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-and-theory-can-go-screw-itself/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-am-pragmatic-that-which-works-works-and-theory-can-go-screw-itself/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```