Words of wisdom

The Dilbert Principle: In a company, the most ineffective workers are systematically moved to the place where they can do the least damage: management.

Parkinson's law: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.
Vince Lombardi

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Thomas Alva Edison

Always be smarter than the people who hire you.
Lena Horne

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

I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.
Helen Keller

When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.
Colleen C Barrett

The true way to render ourselves happy is to love our work and find in it our pleasure.
Francoise de Motteville

It's important to know that words don't move mountains. Work, exacting work moves mountains.
Danilo Dolci

Personally, I have nothing against work, particularly when performed, quietly and unobtrusively, by someone else. I just don't happen to think it's an appropriate subject for an ‘ethic’.
Barbara Ehrenreich

On learning:

The many-sided mind is ripe for every prize.
M Tupper

Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.
Lord Bacon

Knowledge humbleth the great man, astonisheth the common man,
and puffeth up the little man.

On forethougt:

Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action.

Caution is the parent of safety.

Measure thrice before you cut once.

One false move may lose the game.

A little oil may save a deal of friction.

Deliberating is not delaying.

A little fore-talk may save much after-talk.

Of hasty counsel take good heed, for haste is very rarely speed.

Thatch your roof before rainy weather; dig your well before you become parched with thirst.
Chinese Proverb

Look before you leap; see before you go.
Tusser

When clouds are seen wise men put on their cloaks.
Shakespeare

None pities him that's in the snare, who warned before, would not beware.
Herrick

It is well to learn caution by the misfortunes of others.
Publius Syrus

On common sense:

Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Colerige

The most exquisite folly is made of wisdom spun too fine.
Franklin

One pound of learning requires ten pounds of common sense to
apply it.
Persian Proverb

Our senses don't deceive us: our judgment does.
Goethe

On work and idelness:

Shun idleness. It is a rust that attaches itself to the most brilliant metals.
Voltaire

Winter comes fast on the lazy.
Irish Proverb

There is more trouble in having nothing to do than in having much to do.

The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
Prov 12:24

An idle brain is the devil's workshop.

A lazy spirit is a losing spirit.

Employment brings enjoyment.

Industry is the parent of success.

It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is:
What are we busy about?
Thoreau