Barbara Liskov

"Reusability is a dream that becomes reality only when you think about it from the beginning."

"Complex problems often have simple solutions. The art is in finding them."

"Your code is a reflection of your thinking. If your code is muddled, examine your thoughts."

"The best way to predict the future of software is to design it."

"In every design decision lies a philosophy. Be aware of what yours is."

"Programming is a form of communication. Write as if someone you love must understand it."

"The simplest solution is rarely the first one you think of. Keep thinking."

"Error handling is not optional; it is a fundamental part of respect for your users."

"Abstractions leak. Know what leaks and why, and you master your craft."

"The most important variable name is the one that tells the truth."

"Debugging is meditation in disguise. Sit with the problem until it speaks to you."

"A system is only as good as its weakest interface. Strengthen them all."

"Specification without implementation is philosophy. Implementation without specification is accident."

"The joy of programming is the joy of creation. Never lose that."

"Constraints breed creativity. Work within your boundaries and transcend them."

"Every design is a balance between power and simplicity. Find your balance."

"The question 'why' is more important than 'how'. Always ask why."

"Polymorphism is freedom. Use it wisely."

"A program that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. Make it testable."

"Data structures are the poetry of programming. Choose them with care."

"The best refactoring is the one that reveals intent."

"Performance matters, but correctness matters first. Get it right, then make it fast."

"In large systems, small mistakes become large disasters. Attention to detail is salvation."

"Coupling is contagious. One bad interface infects everything downstream."

"The principle of least surprise should guide every decision you make."

"A well-designed library is a teacher. Learn from great libraries."

"Version compatibility is a form of respect for those who came before."

"The architecture you choose today will constrain the possibilities of tomorrow. Choose wisely."

"Naming things well is harder than writing the code. Take your time."

"Inheritance asks: 'What is this?' Composition asks: 'What does this do?' Both questions matter."