Tag: John W. Gardner

Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the nonpharmaceutical narcotics it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner

Storybook happiness involves every form of pleasant thumb-twiddling true happiness involves the full use of one’s powers and talents.

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner

The creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures in which the rest of us are caught. He is capable of questioning the assumptions that the rest of us accept.

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner

The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner

The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden of pursing his own education. This will not be a widely shared pursuit until we get over our odd conviction that education is what goes on in school buildings and nowhere else.

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner

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

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner

We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner

When Alexander the Great visited Diogenes and asked whether he could do anything for the famed teacher, Diogenes replied ‘Only stand out of my light.’ Perhaps some day we shall know how to heighten creativity. Until then, one of the best things we can do for creative men and women is to stand out of their light.

Quote, saying and phrase by: John W. Gardner