--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The cost of quality is the expense of…" description: "\"The cost of quality is the expense of doing things wrong.\" — Phil Crosby" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/phil-crosby-16889_cost_the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-do_773462.png" --- # The cost of quality is the expense of doing things wrong. ![“The cost of quality is the expense of doing things wrong.” quote by Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/phil-crosby-16889_cost_the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-do_773462.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/phil-crosby-16889_cost_the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-do_773462.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/phil-crosby-16889_cost_the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-do_773462.png) > “The cost of quality is the expense of doing things wrong.” [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Quality costs arise from fixing mistakes rather than preventing them. **In simple terms:** Mistakes cost more than prevention. Key Takeaway Invest in prevention, not rework. Themes quality cost prevention efficiency Mood pragmatic analytical Type business process When to use this quote - manufacturing - software development - project management - healthcare Key Concepts lean management continuous improvement Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify hidden rework costs? - What preventive measures could reduce errors? A Different Perspective Prevention still requires upfront investment and cultural change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) [Cost Of Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost-of-quality-230257/) [Cost Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost-quality-5973259/) [Doing things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-things/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Expense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expense/) [Expense Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expense-doing-5973260/) [Expenses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expenses/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Quality Expense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality-expense-5973258/) [Things Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-wrong-314690/) ## Related quotes > [“Stories are like wine; they need time. So take the time. This isn’t a hot dog eating contest. You’re not being judged on how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/stories-are-like-wine-they-need-time-so-take-the-time-this-isn-t-a/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [..no meal is good enough to justify all the money and effort wasted in preparing it. It is an illusion and an expense. Live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/no-meal-is-good-enough-to-justify-all-the-money-and-effort-wasted-in/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [In law, nothing is certain but the expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/in-law-nothing-is-certain-but-the-expense/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [Well there are those who think you can only succeed at someone else's expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/well-there-are-those-who-think-you-can-only-succeed-at-someone-else-s/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [Late 19th-century populists saw bankers and industrialists manipulating markets to enrich themselves at the expense of small farmers and labourers and favoured political candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/late-19th-century-populists-saw-bankers-and-industrialists/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [I'm not big on fat jokes. That's a little beneath me. I'm not a huge fan of making a joke - and as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-showalter/i-m-not-big-on-fat-jokes-that-s-a-little-beneath-me-i-m-not-a-huge/) [Michael Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-showalter/) > [Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/make-no-expense-but-to-do-good-to-others-or-yourself/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I think writers have become hypnotised by the number of jokes on the page at the expense of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwood-schwartz/i-think-writers-have-become-hypnotised-by-the-number-of-jokes-on-the/) [Sherwood Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwood-schwartz/) > [When I play a game, I want to play, not necessarily laugh. If you try to make me laugh at the expense of interactivity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/when-i-play-a-game-i-want-to-play-not-necessarily-laugh-if-you-try-to/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [I understand that in these difficult economic times, the potential for any additional expense is not welcomed by American businesses. But in the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-locke/i-understand-that-in-these-difficult-economic-times-the-potential-for/) [Gary Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-locke/) > [There are any number of very hard working people in Hollywood who deserve recognition. Mostly its the artisans and crafts persons - the 'below…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/there-are-any-number-of-very-hard-working-people-in-hollywood-who/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [For most of human history, the main goal of states has been to conquer land and to achieve glory for their rulers, usually at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/for-most-of-human-history-the-main-goal-of-states-has-been-to-conquer/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [What's funny is funny. It doesn't matter what expense it's at. There are people who don't like that and I understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-del-rio/what-s-funny-is-funny-it-doesn-t-matter-what-expense-it-s-at-there/) [Bianca Del Rio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-del-rio/) > [“I will go tell him of Hermia's flight: Then to the wood will he to-morrow night Pursue her; and for this intelligence If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-will-go-tell-him-of-hermia-s-flight-then-to-the-wood-will-he-to/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“If a problem can be solved by writing a check, it's not a problem, it's an expense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/if-a-problem-can-be-solved-by-writing-a-check-it-s-not-a-problem-it-s/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) ## More by Phil Crosby > [You don't have to be noisy to be effective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/you-don-t-have-to-be-noisy-to-be-effective/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [We must define quality as conformance to specifications if we are to manage it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/we-must-define-quality-as-conformance-to-specifications-if-we-are-to/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Selecting the right person for the right job is the largest part of coaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/selecting-the-right-person-for-the-right-job-is-the-largest-part-of/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Slowness to change usually means fear of the new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/slowness-to-change-usually-means-fear-of-the-new/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Quality means conformance to requirements, not elegance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/quality-means-conformance-to-requirements-not-elegance/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Successful people breed success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/successful-people-breed-success/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Being convinced one knows the whole story is the surest way to fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/being-convinced-one-knows-the-whole-story-is-the-surest-way-to-fail/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Change should be a friend. It should happen by plan, not by accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/change-should-be-a-friend-it-should-happen-by-plan-not-by-accident/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [You are going to be measured anyway by some means, fair or foul. Usually the one doing the measuring has nothing specific in mind;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/you-are-going-to-be-measured-anyway-by-some-means-fair-or-foul/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [It isn't what you find, it's what you do about what you find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/it-isn-t-what-you-find-it-s-what-you-do-about-what-you-find/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Improving quality requires a culture change, not just a new diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/improving-quality-requires-a-culture-change-not-just-a-new-diet/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [You have to lead people gently toward what they already know is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/you-have-to-lead-people-gently-toward-what-they-already-know-is-right/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [When you're out of quality, you're out of business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/when-you-re-out-of-quality-you-re-out-of-business/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [Quality is the result of a carefully constructed cultural environment. It has to be the fabric of the organization, not part of the fabric.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/quality-is-the-result-of-a-carefully-constructed-cultural-environment/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) > [A rule to live by: I won't use anything I can't explain in five minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/a-rule-to-live-by-i-won-t-use-anything-i-can-t-explain-in-five-minutes/) [Phil Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) [Explore all 38 Phil Crosby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/) ## More Cost quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) [Jessica Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yu/) > [ \[Photography is \] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/photography-is-likewise-even-french-impressionists-so-the-sculls/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) > [What has drug addiction done for me? It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/) [Robbin Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbin-crosby/) > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I believe that government is too large, costs too much, spends too much, and has too much regulatory power in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-walberg/i-believe-that-government-is-too-large-costs-too-much-spends-too-much/) [Tim Walberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-walberg/) > [One reason for the tremendous increase in health-care costs in the U.S. is managerial neglect of the "hotel services" by the people who dominate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/one-reason-for-the-tremendous-increase-in-health-care-costs-in-the-u/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [They brought on someone who cost more than our stadium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/they-brought-on-someone-who-cost-more-than-our-stadium/) [Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/) > [When the government pays, health care's lack of affordability becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In health care, as in other things, government is the high-cost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-kling/when-the-government-pays-health-care-s-lack-of-affordability-becomes/) [Arnold Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-kling/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [First impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/first-impressions-are-often-the-truest-as-we-find-not-infrequently-to/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The term 'cost shifting,' as I use it, refers to those items in a university's budget that used to be reimbursed by the federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-term-cost-shifting-as-i-use-it-refers-to-those-items-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Beauty's a doubtful good, a glass, a flower, Lost, faded, broken, dead within an hour; And beauty, blemish'd once, for ever's lost, In spite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/beauty-s-a-doubtful-good-a-glass-a-flower-lost-faded-broken-dead/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Browse all 3,987 Cost quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The cost of quality is the expense of doing things wrong.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Phil Crosby" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-doing-things-wrong/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cost" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-doing-things-wrong/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/phil-crosby-16889_cost_the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-do_773462.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/phil-crosby-16889_cost_the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-do_773462.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00d/phil-crosby-16889_cost_the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-do_773462.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The cost of quality is the expense of doing things wrong.” — Phil Crosby", "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": "Phil Crosby", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crosby/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The cost of quality is the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-doing-things-wrong/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crosby/the-cost-of-quality-is-the-expense-of-doing-things-wrong/#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 } } ] } ```