Quotable quotes: Jobs wisdom
July 13, 2008 by Miki Saxon
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: LuChOeDu CC license
Although Steve Jobs is many things, he’s not a master of the sound bite. It’s not that he doesn’t say smart, cool stuff; it’s that he doesn’t toss out those gems that are easily remembered by everyman.
But that’s OK, I’m sure that history will forgive him considering all the stuff at which he does excel!
So without more ado, here are three Jobsisms that are worth remembering.
“Why join the navy if you can be a pirate?” (Just be sure your piracy is user friendly.)
“I want to put a ding in the universe.” (Don’t we all!)
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” (Definitely not a sound bite, but just as definitely profound wisdom.)
Hat tip to Thinkexist for the great quotes.
What are your favorite Jobs quotes?
Your comments—priceless
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
I’m not sure how Jobs starts with that premise and arrives at that conclusion. When I remember that I’m going to die I think: So I didn’t start a successful computer company. We’re all gonna end up as dust anyway.
I find Miki Saxon’s quotes more compelling, even when in question form:
Why does our society denigrate those who work low-paying jobs, when they’re honest, hardworking, pay taxes and even manage to raise families?
Read more Musings by Miki here:
http://www.franchisepick.com/miki-saxon-franchises-and-corporate-culture
Read the whole post and you get to see what Ms. Saxon looks like (or used to look like). No skipping ahead…
Hi Sean, I guess I should have used the whole quote, “.. almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
As to my own quote, I appreciate that you consider it valuable. It’s a subject I feel strongly about, maybe having it on your site will raise the profile.
Thanks again, Sean.
“One of the most upligting experiences in life is to be in contact with what we call and inpiring person, one that has the power to stir up our spirits and incite us to greater achievement. Such an one initiates impulses and arouses better and stronger desires, appetites and abitions.” Sterling W. Sill
Hi Brethart, Thanks for stopping by and adding this quote. It’s ironic that a discussion this morning touched upon Jobs atrocious management style, but this quote reminds us that we forgive much to those who fit it.