Quotes Collection » Food for Thought

Quotes Collection

As for your Future, your task is not to forsee the future, but to enable it!

I’ve been asked if I could summarize those quotes I keep using into a collection, as they’d be “valuable”. So I decided to make a new page for Lazarus Long, which I also have on our (a bit old) family website.

If you look for the images, you can also use Google Images.

The following quotes are not sorted but as they show in the folder and I will likely add more…

#solutions

I look for Solutions! Problems appear all on their own... — “I look for Solutions! Problems appear all on their own…” [my own]

Einstein said: “Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution.”

#eastman

For those who agree or disagree, it is the exchange of ideas that broadens all of our knowledge — “For those who agree or disagree, it is the exchange of ideas that broadens all of our knowledge” [Richard Eastman]

#bransoncomplexity

Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to make something simple. — “Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to make something simple.” [Richard Branson]

#thinkbigger

Whatever you are thinking. Think Bigger [Aradhana Khowala] — “Whatever you are thinking. Think Bigger.” [Aradhana Khowala]

#notscaredenough

If it doesn't scare you, you're probably not dreaming big enough. [Tory Burch] — “If it doesn’t scare you, you’re probably not dreaming big enough.” [Tory Burch]

#bilbo

The Road goes ever on and on ∞ Down from the door where it began. ∞ Now far ahead the Road has gone, ∞ And I must follow, if I can, ∞ Pursuing it with eager feet, ∞ Until it joins some larger way ∞ Where many paths and errands meet. ∞ And whither then? I cannot say. — “The Road goes ever on and on ∞ Down from the door where it began. ∞ Now far ahead the Road has gone, ∞ And I must follow, if I can, ∞ Pursuing it with eager feet, ∞ Until it joins some larger way ∞ Where many paths and errands meet. ∞ And whither then? I cannot say.” [Bilbo Baggins (the Lord of the Rings)]

#experts

Always listen to the experts! They tell you it is impossible and why you can not do it. When you know that: Go Ahead! [Lazarus Long]

#bigdata

Big data is like teenage sex: everyone talks about it, nobody really knows how to do it, everyone thinks everyone else is doing it, so everyone claims they are doing it... — “Big data is like teenage sex: everyone talks about it, nobody really knows how to do it, everyone thinks everyone else is doing it, so everyone claims they are doing it…” [Dan Ariely]

#impactinvestment

Impact Investing is like Teenage Sex — Impact Investing is like Teenage Sex. Everybody talks about it! Nobody really knows how to do it… Everyone thinks everyone else is doing it, so everyone claims they are doing it…

#aiteenage

A.I. is like Teenage Sex — A.I. is like Teenage Sex. Everybody talks about it! Nobody really knows how to do it… Everyone thinks everyone else is doing it, so everyone claims they are doing it…
Aside, I’ve not seen any real A.I. yet. Just I.A.: More (or mostly less) Intelligent Algorithms.

#democracyautocracy

Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser than one man. How's that again? I missed something. — “Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser than one man. How’s that again? I missed something.” “Autocracy is based on the assumption that one man is wiser than a million men. Let’s play that over again, too. Who decides?” [Both Lazarus Long by Robert A. Heinlein]

#smartjobs

It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do. — “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” [Steve Jobs]

#nonacademic

When I hire people, I look for Great Attitude. I don't look for MBA or PhD. — “When I hire people, I look for Great Attitude. I don’t look for MBA or PhD.” [Robert Kuok]

#academicjobsgates

Steve Jobs: — Steve Jobs: “So then they said I needed a degree to succeed…” – Bill Gates: “They said that to you too?” – Both laughing [put in their mouth]

#marvinbrain

Here I am, brain the size of a planet and they ask me to take you to the bridge. Call that job satisfaction? 'cause I don't. — “Here I am, brain the size of a planet and they ask me to take you to the bridge. Call that job satisfaction? ’cause I don’t.” [Marvin in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy]

#einsteinmistake

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. — “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” [Albert Einstein]

#throwstone

He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her — “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” [Jesus Christ, a Jew from Nazareth]

#gordonbethune

A good airline is defined by CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, not just cost per available seat mile — “A good airline is defined by CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, not just cost per available seat mile” [Gordon Bethune, 1996]

#crandall

I do not deal well with politicians. I tend to tell people that when they are full of crap, that they are full of crap. — “I do not deal well with politicians. I tend to tell people that when they are full of crap, that they are full of crap. [Robert ‘Bob’ Crandall]

#experience

A ship engine failed, no one could fix it. Then they brought in a man with 40 years on the job. He inspected the engine carefully, top to bottom. After looking things over, the guy reached into his back and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched to life. The engine was fixed! 7 days later the owners got his bill for 10K. ‘What?!’ the owners said. ‘You hardly did anything. Send us an itemized bill.’ The reply simply said: 1. Tapping with a hammer. $2 — 2. Knowing where to tap: $9,998. -Don’t Ever Underestimate Experience.- — A ship engine failed, no one could fix it. Then they brought in a man with 40 years on the job. He inspected the engine carefully, top to bottom. After looking things over, the guy reached into his back and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched to life. The engine was fixed! 7 days later the owners got his bill for 10K. ‘What?!’ the owners said. ‘You hardly did anything. Send us an itemized bill.’ The reply simply said:
1. Tapping with a hammer. $2
2. Knowing where to tap: $9,998.
Don’t Ever Underestimate Experience.-
(obviously a modified copy of Steinmetz’ story)

#future

As for your Future, your task is not to forsee the future, but to enable it! — “As for your Future, your task is not to forsee the future, but to enable it!” [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry]

#stafftraining

Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to. — “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.” [Richard Branson]

#garbage

Garbage In Garbage Out — “If you digitalize a shitty process, you have a shitty digital process.” [Thorsten Dirks] (also known as: Garbage in … Garbage out)

#getthefacts

What are the facts? Again and again and again-what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what 'the stars foretell' avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable 'verdict of history' -- what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts! [Lazarus Long] — “What are the facts? Again and again and again-what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable “verdict of history” — what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!” [Lazarus Long]

#amelia

Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn't be done ... decide ... whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying ... — “Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done”
“… decide … whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying …”
[Amelia Earhart]

#yeats

There are no strangers here; Only friends I haven't yet met — “There are no strangers here; Only friends I haven’t yet met”
[William Butler Yeats]

#itsyourjob

Do something about it when something smells funny. Even if it's not on your job description, it's your job. — “Do something about it when something smells funny. Even if it’s not on your job description, it’s your job.” [Henna Inam]

#fastfar

If you want to go Fast, go Alone. If you want to go Far, go Together — “If you want to go Fast, go Alone. If you want to go Far, go Together” [African Proverb]

#windvane

I'm the Wind ... not the Weather Vane — “I’m the Wind … not the Weather Vane”

#yesfun

Life is a helluva lot more fun if you say YES rather than no. Richard Branson — “Life is a helluva lot more fun if you say YES rather than no.” [Richard Branson]

#therulesjustwentbyebye

Claus Rasteed - Five Things — “The Rules Just Went Bye-Bye” [Claus Rasteed]

#thisisyourtime

Calling in the Dark — “We are Listening. And We’re Not Blind. This is Your Life. This is Your Time!” [Snow Patrol – Calling in the Dark]

#learnonthejob

If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you're not sure if you can do it, say yes - then learn how to do it later [Richard Branson] — “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure if you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later” [Richard Branson]

#gamerigged

Certainly the Game is Rigged. Don't Let That Stop You. If you Don't Bet, You Can't WIN - Lazarus Long — “Certainly the game is rigged. Don’t let that stop you; if you don’t bet, you can’t win.” [Lazarus Long (Robert A. Heinlein)]

#roundheads

“Our Heads Are Round so Our Thoughts Can Change Direction” [Francis Picabia]

#impactinvestment

Any 'commitment' that does not come with INSTANT substantial investment and public quantifiable net-impact goals to the SDGs is GREENWASHING — Any ‘commitment’ that does not come with INSTANT substantial investment and public quantifiable net-impact goals to the SDGs is GREENWASHING

#lipstickonpigs

The problem is that we continue to put lipstick on pigs instead of addressing the structural problems that lead to this mess. [Michael Boyle] — “The problem is that we continue to put lipstick on pigs instead of addressing thestructural problems that lead to this mess.” [Michael Boyle]

#holisticimpact

ESG Greenwashing. Impact Investment and Climate Action are generational challenges needing a holistic approach. — “We need a holistic approach. This ain’t petty single SDG or small tech invest to solve the sustainability crisis. This is an industrial size, generational issue that we must start to address today. Not someday and not distracting with little greenwashed pieces.” [Jürgen Barthel]

#focus

Rennie Hoare: Focus — “If you’re spreading yourself too thin, it can become quite disengaging. Focus on a few things that you really care about.” [Rennie Hoare]

#sustainabilitylipservices

Future historians may name this time in #ESG evolution the ‘cognitive dissonance phase’, after the mental conflict that occurs when behaviors and beliefs do not align [Harry Walkate] — “Future historians may name this time in #ESG evolution the ‘cognitive dissonance phase’, after the mental conflict that occurs when behaviors and beliefs do not align” [Harald Walkate]

#peterdrucker

If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old. [Peter Drucker] — “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” [Peter Drucker]

#tariqfancy

Climate Change is the Largest Market Failure in History. And What is Your Answer? The Market Shall Fix It. [Tareq Fancy] — “Climate Change is the Largest Market Failure in History. And What is Your Answer? The Market Shall Fix It.” [Tareq Fancy]

#lubomila

Our Obsession with Technology will slow down the Green Transition. [Lubomila Jordanova] — “Our Obsession with Technology will slow down the Green Transition.” [Lubomila Jordanova]

#spockchange

Change is the Essential Process of All Existence [Spock] — “Change is the Essential Process of All Existence.” [Spock]

#powell

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. [Colin Powell] — “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” [Colin Powell]

#respecttolerance

Respect and Tolerance — On popular demand, I added this image I use a lot. If you have one that includes inclusion and diversity, I would be very grateful!

#maninthemirror

Man in the Mirror [Michael Jackson] on Vevo — Another one I keep referring to. It ain’t new. Change starts with the Man in the Mirror (linked to the Vevo video on YouTube).

#lalineacorona

LaLinea Corona 2023

#artificialintelligence

Most A.I. ain't Artificial Intelligence, but I.A.: (more, or often less) Intelligent Algorithms — “Most A.I. ain’t Artificial Intelligence, but I.A.: (more, or often less) intelligent algorithms.”

German…

#rehlein

Ich glaub ich steh im Wald ... und die Rehlein sagen 'Du' zu mir — “Ich glaub ich steh im Wald … und die Rehlein sagen ‘Du’ zu mir” [unknown source]
doesn’t translate to English, something “I have as much idea as the innocent deer – such they call me their friend”

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