Elinor Ostrom

"Life is richer when we see ourselves as part of communities and ecosystems."

"Love of community starts with understanding its institutions."

"Friendship and cooperation grow through working toward shared goals."

"Family structures are shaped by the institutions that surround them."

"Hope is justified when we understand the potential for cooperation."

"Success requires aligning incentives with desired outcomes."

"Freedom is best protected through strong, adaptive institutions."

"Peace comes from institutional arrangements that reduce conflict."

"Nature teaches us about cooperation and systems thinking."

"In science, observation should come before theory."

"Kindness in institutions means designing for human wellbeing."

"The strength of nations lies in their institutional capacity."

"We cannot eliminate fear, but we can design institutions to manage it."

"Patience is required to build the trust that underpins cooperation."

"Gratitude for successful examples of self-governance should motivate us."

"Creativity in problem-solving is a key human capability."

"Justice requires institutions that give voice to all stakeholders."

"Work is ennobling when it contributes to community wellbeing."

"Education should teach people how to think about institutional design."

"Knowledge accumulated over generations is invaluable for governance."

"Time horizons matter: short-term thinking produces poor institutions."

"Truth emerges through open dialogue and careful observation."

"The right to participate in decisions affecting you is fundamental."

"Leadership involves helping others see possibilities for cooperation."

"Motivation is highest when people have a voice in decisions."

"Inspiration can come from understanding how others solved similar problems."

"Relationships are strengthened through fair and transparent institutions."

"Solitude is important for the reflection that precedes institutional reform."

"Perseverance through institutional change takes decades, not years."

"Beauty emerges naturally from well-designed social institutions."