Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The most dangerous phrase is 'We've always done it this way.'
In plain terms
Repeating old methods can be harmful.
What can you take from it?
Question tradition to foster progress.

Where it applies

  • business strategy
  • software development
  • education reform

Putting it to work

  • encouraging critical review
  • implementing iterative improvements

Questions to consider

  • When is tradition valuable?
  • How can we balance respect for legacy with innovation?

Another view

Not all traditions are harmful; some provide stability.

More from Grace Hopper

  1. The wonderful thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

    Permalink to quote #11
  2. You manage things, you lead people.

    Permalink to quote #13
  3. I've always been more interested in the future than in the past.

    Permalink to quote #10

Related quotes

  1. New things are made familiar, and familiar things are made new.

    Samuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson quote #95
  2. He kicks against tradition and restrictions without realising that tradition made him, is his raison d'etre.

    Queen of Romania MarieQueen of Romania Marie quote #4
  3. In any case, rather like priests who have forgotten the meaning of the prayers they chant, we shall go on for quite a long time talking of books and writing bo…

    Gore VidalGore Vidal quote #5