John W. Gardner quotes - page 2

When one may pay out over two million dollars to presidential and Congressional campaigns, the U.S. government is virtually up for sale. (John W. Gardner)
It is hard to feel individually responsible with respect to the invisible processes of a huge and distant government. View quote
John W. Gardner
The hallmark of our age is the tension between aspirations and sluggish institutions. View quote
John W. Gardner
The future announces itself from afar. But most people are not listening. The noisy clatter of the present drowns out the tentative sound of things to come. The sound of the new does not fit old perceptual patterns and goes unnoticed by most people. And of the few who do perceive something coming, most lack the energy, initiative, courage or will to do anything about it. Leaders who have the wit to perceive and the courage to act will be credited with a gift of prophecy that they do not necessarily have." View quote
John W. Gardner
America's greatness has been the greatness of a free people who shared certain moral commitments. Freedom without moral commitment is aimless and promptly self-destructive. View quote
John W. Gardner