The secret of life …
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made. (MARX [Groucho])
Humour and wit
Leadership is a serious responsibility, but it does not always have to be taken seriously.
Humour has the unique ability to defuse tension, build rapport and remind us of the joy of life and work.
“Humour and Wit” celebrates the lighter side of leadership, offering a collection of quotes that entertain, provoke thought and instil light-heartedness even in the most challenging situations.
In this section, you will find reflections on the absurdities of human nature, the irony of certain truths, and the wisdom that is often hidden in laughter.
Humour is not just a tool for entertainment: it is a bridge to understanding, a way to connect with others, and a reminder to remain grounded in humility.
For leaders, humour can defuse conflict, foster camaraderie, and even reveal deeper truths.
As you explore this section, may these quotes bring you a smile and a renewed sense of perspective on your journey.
Never complain …
“Never complain and never explain – just get on with it.” (Benjamin Disraeli)
For every winner …
For every winner there are dozens of losers: it is very likely that you are among the latter. It could be that your only purpose in life is to be a warning to others. (Arthur Bloch)
There are no bad regiments …
“There are no bad regiments, only incompetent colonels.” (Napoleon)
He who quits …
He who quits, never wins; he who wins, never quits. But he who never wins and never quits is an idiot. (Unknown Author)
Part of the inhumanity of a computer lies in …
“Part of the inhumanity of a computer lies in the fact that, once it is programmed and put into operation, it behaves in a fully honest manner.” (Isaac Asimov)
Chaos is the word …
“Chaos is the word we have invented for an order we do not understand.” (Henry Miller)
It’s never too late …
“It’s never too late, it’s never too bad, and you’re never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again.” (Bikram Choudhury Yoga Master, born 1946)
Religion is for …
“Religion is for people who fear hell. Spirituality is for people who have been there.” (David Bowie)
The difference between luck and …
“The difference between luck and ability is duration.” (Solomon Short)
Obstacles are those frightful things …
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” (Henry Ford)
Small people you recognise immediately …
“Small people you recognise immediately, they are the ones trying to explain to you how big they are.” (Mauro Soldano)
An Epitaph
Here lies the body Of William Jay, Who died maintaining His right of way. He was in the right As he sped along, But he’s just as dead As if he’d been wrong. Edgar A. Guest (1916)‘An Epitaph’, In the Detroit Free Press, 1 October 1916, p. 72Detroit, Michigan
We are more often frightened than hurt …
“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” (Lucius Annaeus Seneca)
We are all under the same sky …
‘We are all under the same sky, but we do not all have the same horizon.” (Konrad Adenauer)
There are two kinds of people …
“There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit.Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.” (Indira Gandhi)