Quotes About Leadership

Which is better -- to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? Which is better -- to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill? Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?

Maybe, he said hesitantly, maybe there is a beast. The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph stood up in amazement. You, Simon? You believe in this? I don't know, said Simon. His heartbeats were choking him. [...] Ralph shouted. Hear him! He's got the conch! What I mean is . . . maybe it's only us. Nuts! That was from Piggy, shocked out of decorum.

We need an assembly, not for cleverness, but for setting things straight.

I got the conch! --Piggy (in Lord of the Flies), attempting Democracy

Eyes shining, mouths open, triumphant, they savored the right of domination. They were lifted up: were friends.

The rules!" shouted Ralph. "You're breaking the rules!" "Who cares?" Ralph summoned his wits. "Because the rules are the only thing we've got!

And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.

with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.

I'm going up the mountain." The words came from Jack viciously, as though they were a curse.

He says the beast comes out of the sea. The last laugh died away. Ralph turned involuntarily, a black, humped figure against the lagoon. The assembly looked with him, considered the vast stretches of water, the high sea of beyond, unknown indigo of infinite possibility, heard silently the sough and whisper from the reef

Listen all of you. Me and my hunters, we're living along the beach by a flat rock. We hunt and feast and have fun. If you want to join my tribe come and see us. Perhaps I'll let you join. Perhaps not.

Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.

There isn't anyone to help you. Only me. And I'm the Beast. . .

William Golding

Le assemblee. Andiamo pazzi per le assemblee, vero? Una al giorno. Anche due volte al giorno. Stiamo lì a parlare. Scommetto che se suonassi la conchiglia in quest'istante, eccome se verrebbero, e di corsa. E allora, sapete, ce ne staremmo lì tutti compiti, e qualcuno proporrebbe di costruire un jet, o un sottomarino, o una televisione. Ad assemblea finita, lavorerebbero per cinque minuti e poi se ne andrebbero a zonzo, o a caccia.»

The trouble was, if you were a chief you had to think, you had to be wise. And then the occasion slipped by so that you had to grab at a decision. This made you think; because thought was a valuable thing, that got results...

They would reach the castle some time; and the chief would have to go forward.

We don't want you,' said Jack, flatly. 'Three's enough.' Piggy's glasses flashed. 'I was with him when he found the conch. I was with him before anyone else was.

We have lots of assemblies. Everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things. But they don't get done.

You are a silly little boy,' said the Lord of the Flies, 'just an ignorant, silly little boy.

he followed up his Mayflower speech with one of his famous "fireside chats," urging the need for the Court plan and assuring his nationwide audience that he had no desire to be a dictator.

Perhaps one of my own advisors will grow jealous of my power and try to kill me. Or someone may spread lies about me, to turn the people against me. It may be that a neighboring kingdom will send an army to seize this throne. Or I might make an unwise decision that will bring my downfall. If you want to be a leader, you must be willing to accept these risks. They come with the power, you see.

George Washington Goethals as the canal's new chief engineer

IN A WORLD STILL RULED BY KINGS, President George Washington's decision to not seek a third term clearly signaled that the United States would be governed by the people, not any ruler-for-life.