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To doubt one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man. Don't defend past actions; what is right today may be wrong tomorrow. Don't be consistent; consistency is the refuge of fools.

— Hyman G. Rickover

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More quotes by Hyman G. Rickover

It is a human inclination to hope things will work out, despite evidence or doubt to the contrary. A successful manager must resist this temptation.

The Rickover Effect (1992)

If you are going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy. God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won't.

It is said that a wise man who stands firm is a statesman, and a foolish man who stands firm is a catastrophe.

The Rickover Effect (1992)

The Devil is in the details, but so is salvation.

The Rickover Effect (1992)

Optimism and stupidity are nearly synonymous.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Hyman G. Rickover (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.