The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Adaptability
I may not be as strong as I think. But I know many tricks and I have resolution.
Ernest Hemingway The Old Man and the Sea · 1952

Quotes

“One of the things that happens in organizations as well as with people is that they settle into ways of looking at the world and become satisfied with things and the world changes and keeps evolving and new potential arises but these people who are settled in don’t see it. That’s what gives start-up companies their greatest advantage.”

Steve Jobs · Smithsonian Oral and Video Histories: Steve Jobs, 1995 · Primary source

“The bird that sits, is easily shot.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.”

Ernest Hemingway · The Old Man and the Sea, 1952 · Primary source

“A vase of unbaked clay, when broken, may be remoulded, but not a baked one.”

Leonardo da Vinci · The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, 1888 · Primary source

“Take things always by their smooth handle.”

Thomas Jefferson · Letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825 · Primary source

“The lesson to be gained from this is that successful generals make plans to fit circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans.”

George S. Patton · War As I Knew It, 1947 · Primary source

“Plans must be simple and flexible. Actually they only form a datum plane from which you build as necessity directs or opportunity offers. They should be made by the people who are going to execute them.”

George S. Patton · War As I Knew It, 1947 · Primary source

“The point I am trying to bring out is that one does not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. One tries to make plans fit the circumstances. I think the difference between success and failure in high command depends upon the ability, or lack of it, to do just that.”

George S. Patton · War As I Knew It, 1947 · Primary source

Related Tags

Self-reliance 49 Decision-making 35 Judgement 31 Experience 30 Resilience 30 Initiative 21 Perspective 21 Opportunity 15 Execution 13 Resolve 9 Self-knowledge 9 Change 7 Practical judgement 6 Competitive advantage 6 Practical wisdom 5 Composure 5 Vulnerability 4 Skill 4 Habits 3 Contingency planning 3 Command 3 Resourcefulness 2 Startups 2 Opportunity recognition 2 Flexibility 2 Inactivity 1 Self-preservation 1 Organisational inertia 1 Malleability 1 Character formation 1 Operational flexibility 1 Operational planning 1 Command judgement 1 Flexible planning 1 Decentralised planning 1