John Ortberg Quotes

The politician who never made a mistake never made a decision.

In politics, guts is all.

Presidents with strong nerves are decisive. They don't balk at unpopular decisions. They are willing to make people angry. Bush had strong nerves. Clinton, who passed up a chance to eliminate Osama bin Laden, did not. Obama is a people pleaser, a trait not normally associated with nerves of steel.

Always be prudent but never hesitant.

I like guts in my leaders.

No great deed is done by falterers who ask for certainty.

It is a wise man who knows where courage ends and stupidity begins.

In my experience as CEO, I found that the most important decisions tested my courage far more than my intelligence.

I'm also pretty resilient and fearless, and when I want something I go for it.

I'm brave to say that I won't take this sort of risk.

The prudent see only the difficulties, the bold only the advantages, of a great enterprise; the hero sees both; diminishes the former and makes the latter preponderate, and so conquers.

Once I'm committed, I'm unafraid of the outcome.

I will talk and act, not on my knees, but with prudence.

When it comes to my work, I'm fearless. I go with my gut.

I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm damn well gonna do it!

Wisdom, prudence, forethought, these are essential. But not second to these that noble courage which adventures the right, and leaves the consequences to God.

I make decisions quickly.

A Stevenson with balls

Be sure you are right, then go ahead.

And now beware of rashness. Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories.

There is great strength in acting boldly but there is also great strength in not acting if the time is not right.

Just as our peace-time system is unsuitable for war conditions, so does it tend to breed peace-time statesmen who are not too well fitted for the conduct of war. Facility in debate, ability to state a case, caution in advancing an unpopular view, compromise and procrastination are the natural qualities - I might almost say, virtues - of a political leader in time of peace. They are fatal qualities in war. Vision, daring, swiftness and consistency of decision are the very essence of victory.

The important thing is the boldness of the President. He will lead opinion and not follow it. He does not want war but will not shrink from it.

I'm a rather decisive type.

Fearless doesn't mean careless. There is a thin line between fearless and careless. I think we need to play fearless.