America's greatness has been the greatness of a free people who shared certain moral commitments. Freedom without moral commitment is aimless and promptly self-destructive.

Quote by John W Gardner

Topics: John W Gardner Quotes

The cynic says, One man can't do anything. I say, Only one man can do...

The cynic says, One man can't do anything. I say, Only one man can do...

The creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures...

The creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures...

The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden...

The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden...

One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing...

One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing...

If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective...

If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective...

Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them.

Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them.

Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary...

Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary...

The hallmark of our age is the tension between aspirations and sluggish institutions.

The hallmark of our age is the tension between aspirations and sluggish institutions.

Whoever I am, or whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my...

Whoever I am, or whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my...

Leaders come in many forms, with many styles and diverse qualities. There are quiet leaders...

Leaders come in many forms, with many styles and diverse qualities. There are quiet leaders...

Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we...

Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we...

Some people strengthen the society just by being the kind of people they are.

Some people strengthen the society just by being the kind of people they are.

Storybook happiness involves every form of pleasant thumb-twiddling; true happiness involves the full use of...

Storybook happiness involves every form of pleasant thumb-twiddling; true happiness involves the full use of...

Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in...

The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in...

True happiness involves the full use of one's power and talents.

True happiness involves the full use of one's power and talents.

All laws are an attempt to domesticate the natural ferocity of the species.

All laws are an attempt to domesticate the natural ferocity of the species.

Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and...

Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and...

The idea for which this nation stands will not survive if the highest goal free...

The idea for which this nation stands will not survive if the highest goal free...

History never looks like history when you are living through it.

History never looks like history when you are living through it.