You will never stub your toe standing still. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere.
Charles KetteringRead
People think of the inventor as a screwball, but no one ever asks the inventor what he thinks of other people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Inventors are often seen as eccentric, but they have their own perspectives on society.
This quote emphasizes the often misunderstood nature of inventors and creative thinkers. While society tends to label them as odd or eccentric, it is essential to recognize that they hold unique insights and opinions about the world and the people around them, often shaped by their imaginative and innovative processes.
Themes
InventorEccentricityPerspectiveCreativitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on innovation, to illustrate the challenges faced by inventors.
More from Charles Kettering
All quotes βIt is the 'follow through' that makes the great difference between ultimate success and failure, because it is so easy to stop.
Charles KetteringRead
When I was research head of General Motors and wanted a problem solved, I'd place a table outside the meeting room with a sign: "Leave slide rules here." If I didn't do that, I'd find someone reaching for his slide rule. Then he'd be on his feet saying, "Boss, you can't do it."
Charles KetteringRead
A research problem is not solved by apparatus; it is solved in a man's head.
Charles KetteringRead
My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.
Charles KetteringRead
I often say that research is a way of finding out what you are going to do when you can't keep on doing what you are doing now.
Charles KetteringRead
Similar quotes
Good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men appreciate and are grateful. Wise men try to express their appreciation and gratitude by some return of kindness, not only to their benefactor, but to everyone else
Gautama BuddhaRead
Work organizes life. It gives structure and discipline to life.
William J. ClintonRead
Very early on, you figure out that you put your self-esteem in the hands of strangers. There's a different commodity. There's the Helena Bonham Carter that everyone thinks they know, who really has nothing to do with me. But you just have to let that go.
Helena Bonham CarterRead
I had a very brilliant father who was not only intellectual, but was street-smart and very curious to boot. The day I found out that he didn't know everything, I grew up. It was a shock. I just thought that the man was the end-all of everything, and he knew the answer to everything. Then I found out I'd have to find out my own answers.
Iris ApfelRead
Fulfill me, make me happy, make me feel safe, tell me who I am. The world cannot give you those things, and when you no longer have such expectations, all self created suffering comes to an end.
Eckhart TolleRead
When you combine the ability to express your unique talent with service to humanity, then you make full use of The Law of Dharma.
Deepak ChopraRead