I am entirely certain that twenty years from now we will look back at education as it is practiced in most schools today and wonder that we could have tolerated anything so primitive. John W. Gardner backeducationpractice Change image and share on social
The idea for which this nation stands will not survive if the highest goal free man can set themselves is an amiable mediocrity. Excellence implies striving for the highest standards in every phase of life. John W. Gardner amiableexcellencefree share on social
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. John W. Gardner activityexaltexcellence share on social
Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants. John W. Gardner cuteducationflower Change image and share on social
One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure. John W. Gardner failurelearnpeople Change image and share on social
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. John W. Gardner aimlessamericacommitment Change image and share on social
Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all. John W. Gardner backconvictiondiagnosis Change image and share on social
Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them. John W. Gardner excellencegreatnesspeople Change image and share on social
If you don't give your kid freedom to make choices with money, including stupid choices, he'll make plenty when he gets to college. John W. Gardner choicecollegefreedom Change image and share on social
True happiness involves the full use of one's power and talents. John W. Gardner fullhappinessinvolve Change image and share on social
