Denis McDonough Quotes

Having a set, popular formula does inhibit you.

But now they have it down to a real science where it's about an hour.

I don't like closed systems.

We know we need civilization and laws and procedures, but isn't it frustrating? Wouldn't it be great if we could just do what we needed to do?

The system is that there is no system. That doesn't mean we don't have process. Apple is a very disciplined company, and we have great processes. But that's not what it's about. Process makes you more efficient.

They disallowed this and disallowed that, and now I can't even get my head above water!

In most languages, 'control' is the first synonym for the word 'manage.' Control is about spotting and correcting deviations from pre-defined standards; thus to control, one must first constrain.

Usual rules—no samples.

I hate everything that is rigid. I need freedom.

I believe there is a certain way to do things.

Uniformity is the friend of scalability.

Some rules are there for a reason - but it's one thing to have a rule that protects and another to have rules that stifle.

This is the sacrifice: the endless possibility that is offered up on the altar of the form.

The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees one

Really I was open-minded about doing anything, but the one thing I didn't want to do was get myself into a corset, because I was worried I'd never get out again.

It is mediocrity which makes laws and sets mantraps and spring-guns in the realm of free song, saying thus far shalt thou go and no further.

Be aware that rigidity imprisons.

Absolute freedom is absolute nonsense! We gain freedom in anything through commitment, discipline, and fixed habit.

I believe that creativity comes from compromise. If you could have everything you ever wanted, it doesn't always work.

Any definition which limits us is deplorable.

Tether even a roasted chicken.

Well, my own men's collection always felt very free back in the days before Jil. Once you make it this kind of dialogue with other people, with a fashion show and clients and whatever, it becomes something else. Free meets not so free.

I can almost see what Gabriel meant when he asked, 'What has the free world got that you can’t get here?' Almost. Freedom, Gabriel. That’s what you can’t get here.

You wear your honor like a suit of armor... You think it keeps you safe, but all it does is weigh you down and make it hard for you to move.

Style is the outcome of constraint.