Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.

More quotes by Jim Collins

View all
"Consider the idea that charisma can be as much a liability as an asset. Your strength of personality can sow the seeds of problems, when people filter the brutal facts from you."

- Jim Collins

Awareness

"The most powerful cultures are those that are based on values that are deeply held and widely shared."

- Jim Collins

Belief

"Great companies foster a productive tension between continuity and change."

- Jim Collins

Transformation

"Indeed, the real question is not, “Why greatness?” but “What work makes you feel compelled to try to create greatness?” If you have to ask the question, “Why should we try to make it great? Isn’t success enough?” then you’re probably engaged in the wrong line of work."

- Jim Collins

Motivation

"What separates people is not the presence or absence of difficulty, but how they deal with the inevitable difficulties of life."

- Jim Collins

Adversity

More Success Quotes

View all
"The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck."

- Tony Robbins

Success

"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."

- Beverly Sills

Success

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."

- Aristotle

Success

"I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse."

- Florence Nightingale

Success

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

- Vince Lombardi

Success