What do Americans look for in a car? I've heard many answers when I've asked this question. The answers include excellent safety ratings, great gas mileage, handling, and cornering ability, among others. I don't believe any of these. That's because the first principle of the Culture Code is that the only effective way to understand what people truly mean is to ignore what they say. This is not to suggest that people intentionally lie or misrepresent themselves. What it means is that, when asked direct questions about their interests and preferences, people tend to give answers they believe the questioner wants to hear. Again, this is not because they intend to mislead. It is because people respond to these questions with their cortexes, the parts of their brains that control intelligence rather than emotion or instinct. They ponder a question, they process a question, and when they deliver an answer, it is the product of deliberation. They believe they are telling the truth. A lie detector would confirm this. In most cases, however, they aren't saying what they mean. -- The culture code.

It's like a condom; I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. -- some chick in Alien vs. Predator, when asked why she always carries a gun

Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. -- Ancient Eastern adage

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. -- Cited by Randy Pausch

Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. -- Earl of Chesterfield

Software is like sex: It’s better when it’s free. -- Linus Torvalds

A real entrepreneur is somebody who has no safety net underneath them. ~Henry Kravis

The number one reason people fail in life is because they listen to their friends, family, and neighbors. ~Napoleon Hill

I would rather die of passion than of boredom. –Vincent van Gogh

You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them. ~Michael Jordan