Donald Knuth

"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time."

"I am convinced that a significant fraction of human achievement is the result of sustained effort over time."

"The world is made up of patterns, and programming is the art of pattern recognition."

"I think that gratitude is the most important virtue."

"The future belongs to those who can imagine it."

"I have learned that patience is not just a virtue, it's a necessity."

"The strength of a program is determined by how well it handles the unexpected."

"I believe that adventure is necessary for a full life."

"The health of a system is reflected in the health of its code."

"I am a firm believer in the power of small, incremental changes."

"The real measure of success is whether you have changed the world for the better."

"I think that faith in your abilities is the first step to achievement."

"Leadership is the art of inspiring others to do their best work."

"I have found that the most satisfying work is work that helps other people."

"The power of an idea is multiplied when it is shared with others."

"I believe that every problem has a solution, you just have to look hard enough."

"The music in programming is the harmony of logic and creativity."

"I have learned that peace comes from understanding, not from avoidance."

"Nature teaches us that growth requires both struggle and patience."

"I believe that history is the best teacher of what is to come."

"The justice of a system is determined by how fairly it treats all users."

"I think that war is the failure of all other methods of communication."

"Politics in programming is the struggle between different visions of the future."

"I have found that the most valuable relationships are built on honesty and respect."

"Solitude is necessary for deep thinking and creativity."

"The ultimate goal of programming is to make the world a better place."

"I believe that every person has the potential to do great things."

"The real problem is that programmers have spent far too much time worrying about efficiency in the wrong places and at the wrong times; premature optimization is the root of all evil."

"Science is what we understand well enough to explain to a computer. Art is everything else."

"If you optimize everything, you will always be unhappy."