--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: History is filled with examples of men…" description: "\"History is filled with examples of men and women who rendered highly effective performance without the conventional badges of accomplishment in terms o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/204/warren-e-burger-20339_accomplishment_history-is-filled-with-examples-of-men-a_2963501.jpg" --- # History is filled with examples of men and women who… ![“History is filled with examples of men and women who rendered highly effective performance without the conventional badges of accomplishment in terms of certificates, diplomas, or degrees. Diplomas and tests are useful servants, but Congress has mandated the commonsense proposition that they are…” quote by Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/204/warren-e-burger-20339_accomplishment_history-is-filled-with-examples-of-men-a_2963501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/204/warren-e-burger-20339_accomplishment_history-is-filled-with-examples-of-men-a_2963501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/204/warren-e-burger-20339_accomplishment_history-is-filled-with-examples-of-men-a_2963501.jpg) > “History is filled with examples of men and women who rendered highly effective performance without the conventional badges of accomplishment in terms of certificates, diplomas, or degrees. Diplomas and tests are useful servants, but Congress has mandated the commonsense proposition that they are not to become masters of reality.” [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success can come without formal credentials; certificates are tools, not ultimate truth. **In simple terms:** You can succeed without degrees; diplomas are just tools. Key Takeaway Value skill over certificates. Themes education merit credentials Mood thoughtful balanced Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - job hiring - academic admissions - professional licensing Key Concepts formal education practical ability societal standards Questions to Reflect On - What skills matter most in your field? - How can institutions balance credentials with ability? A Different Perspective May underestimate the role of structured learning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) [Badges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badges/) [Certificates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certificates/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Conventional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional/) [Conventional Badges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional-badges-4525842/) [Degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/) [Diploma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diploma/) [Diplomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diplomas-679933/) [Diplomas Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diplomas-tests-4525841/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Filled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filled/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Mandated Commonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandated-commonsense-4525840/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Propositions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propositions/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) ## Related quotes > [“It's not surprising that we are all craving for the diplomas, degrees and masters. I strongly believe that journey began with your birth certificate.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/it-s-not-surprising-that-we-are-all-craving-for-the-diplomas-degrees/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [“No matter how smart you might appear to be later with your set of diplomas on their fine white parchment, the mistakes you made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupelo-hassman/no-matter-how-smart-you-might-appear-to-be-later-with-your-set-of/) [Tupelo Hassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupelo-hassman/) > [We tried to have diplomas without learning, we tried to have jobs without work, we tried to have houses without savings, we tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/we-tried-to-have-diplomas-without-learning-we-tried-to-have-jobs/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [There are five kids in my family and I'm the only one who didn't get a diploma. All the kids got their diplomas hanging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-van-zant/there-are-five-kids-in-my-family-and-i-m-the-only-one-who-didn-t-get/) [Ronnie Van Zant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-van-zant/) > [Seeing my family have it all took the place of that desire for diplomas on the wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/seeing-my-family-have-it-all-took-the-place-of-that-desire-for/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [“If you hate to think, you are not different from some who is peeing on his academic certificates. The goal of education is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/if-you-hate-to-think-you-are-not-different-from-some-who-is-peeing-on/) [Israelmore ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I'll show you Obama's birth certificate when you show me Sarah Palin's high school diploma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/i-ll-show-you-obama-s-birth-certificate-when-you-show-me-sarah-palin/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I don't have my diploma from the University of Nebraska hanging on my office wall, and I don't have my diploma from Columbia up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-don-t-have-my-diploma-from-the-university-of-nebraska-hanging-on-my/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I believe that every single human being is entitled to the protection of our laws, whether they can vote or not. Whether they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-believe-that-every-single-human-being-is-entitled-to-the-protection/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [ I have people that have been studying \[Obama's birth certificate\] and they cannot believe what they're finding... I would like to have him show… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-have-people-that-have-been-studying-obama-s-birth-certificate-and/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [What do Obama and God have in common? Neither has a birth certificate. How do they differ? God does not think he's Obama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/what-do-obama-and-god-have-in-common-neither-has-a-birth-certificate/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [No birth certificate is issued when friendship is born. There is nothing tangible. There is just a feeling that your life is different and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-tesich/no-birth-certificate-is-issued-when-friendship-is-born-there-is/) [Steve Tesich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-tesich/) > [Now I have something. In fact, I have posted on the Internet more than Obama has. My birth certificate actually has signatures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orly-taitz/now-i-have-something-in-fact-i-have-posted-on-the-internet-more-than/) [Orly Taitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orly-taitz/) > [Bonds are guaranteed certificates of confiscation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-pick/bonds-are-guaranteed-certificates-of-confiscation/) [Franz Pick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-pick/) > [He removed several pages of death certificates, which were picked up by another breeze and sent into the trees. Some would fall with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/he-removed-several-pages-of-death-certificates-which-were-picked-up/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) ## More by Warren E. Burger > [The policeman on the beat or in the patrol car makes more decisions and exercises broader discretion affecting the daily lives of people every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-policeman-on-the-beat-or-in-the-patrol-car-makes-more-decisions/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [The State may justify a limitation on religious liberty by showing it is essential to accomplish an overriding governmental interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-state-may-justify-a-limitation-on-religious-liberty-by-showing-it/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [The Constitution does not require complete separation of church and state; it affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance, of all religions, and forbids hostility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-constitution-does-not-require-complete-separation-of-church-and/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [Crime and the fear of crime have permeated the fabric of American life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/crime-and-the-fear-of-crime-have-permeated-the-fabric-of-american-life/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [However, when the privilege depends solely on the broad, undifferentiated claim of public interest in the confidentiality of such conversations, a confrontation with other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/however-when-the-privilege-depends-solely-on-the-broad/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [Is the challenge to every lawyer and judge in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/is-the-challenge-to-every-lawyer-and-judge-in-america/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [The men who wrote the First Amendment religion clause did not view paid legislative chaplains and opening prayers as a violation of that amendment...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-men-who-wrote-the-first-amendment-religion-clause-did-not-view/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [Calculated risks of abuse are taken in order to preserve higher values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/calculated-risks-of-abuse-are-taken-in-order-to-preserve-higher-values/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [There may be some incorrigible human beings who cannot be changed except by God's own mercy to that one person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/there-may-be-some-incorrigible-human-beings-who-cannot-be-changed/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [ \[No one will be able to\] deter the scientific mind from probing into the unknown any more than Canute could command the tides. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/no-one-will-be-able-to-deter-the-scientific-mind-from-probing-into/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [The president's need for complete candor and objectivity from advisers calls for great deference from the courts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-president-s-need-for-complete-candor-and-objectivity-from/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [It is not unprofessional to give free legal advice, but advertising that the first visit will be free is a bit like a fox…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/it-is-not-unprofessional-to-give-free-legal-advice-but-advertising/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [Judges . . . rule on the basis of law, not public opinion, and they should...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/judges-rule-on-the-basis-of-law-not-public-opinion-and-they-should/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [Trials by the adversarial contest must in time go the way of the ancient trial by battle and blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/trials-by-the-adversarial-contest-must-in-time-go-the-way-of-the/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [“There can be no assumption that today's majority is 'right' and the Amish and others like them are 'wrong.' A way of life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/there-can-be-no-assumption-that-today-s-majority-is-right-and-the/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) [Explore all 31 Warren E. Burger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) ## More Accomplishment quotes > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [One of the most important rules for success is this: Every great success is the result of hundreds and thousands of small efforts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/one-of-the-most-important-rules-for-success-is-this-every-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [I'm not always right, but I learn from my mistakes and make it a productive experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-kolhoff/i-m-not-always-right-but-i-learn-from-my-mistakes-and-make-it-a/) [Carson Kolhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-kolhoff/) > [Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/suffering-in-life-can-uncover-untold-depths-of-character-and-unknown/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Research is the live heart of the scientific life ... Greatness of position, respect for past accomplishments, the Nobel Prize itself -- none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-gornick/research-is-the-live-heart-of-the-scientific-life-greatness-of/) [Vivian Gornick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-gornick/) > [“One man accomplishment Is another mans failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-sargent/one-man-accomplishment-is-another-mans-failure/) [Anthony Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-sargent/) > [I expected college to feel like a major accomplishment. I walked across the stage, eight months pregnant with my almost seven-year-old daughter watching in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/i-expected-college-to-feel-like-a-major-accomplishment-i-walked/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [Our purpose on this earth is not one single event, an accomplishment we can check off a list. There is no test. No passing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/our-purpose-on-this-earth-is-not-one-single-event-an-accomplishment/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) [Browse all 1,598 Accomplishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "History is filled with examples of men and women who rendered highly effective performance without the conventional badges of accomplishment in terms of certificates, diplomas, or degrees. 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