Leadership Quotes

What separates leaders from the crowd? These words from history's most influential figures reveal the answer.

30104 quotes

R
"Leadership is not the art of commanding others, but inspiring them to command themselves."
Ramalho Ortigão
R
"True leadership emerges from the willingness to serve rather than command."
Ramalho Ortigão
"The leader who rules by fear shall inherit only emptiness."
Torquato Tasso
N
"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"A captain should never sleep comfortably while his soldiers are in danger."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"A wise commander should decide what he intends to do, then act with vigor."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"A prince must disregard the reproach of cruelty, for whatever he does to maintain authority and obedience must be called expedient."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"A prince should be slow to believe and act, quick to see through dissimulation and act decisively."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"Power can be given, but authority must be earned."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"The worst thing that can happen to a leader is the loss of respect of those he leads."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"True power lies not in the ability to command obedience, but in inspiring willing cooperation."
Niccolò Machiavelli
N
"A wise leader knows when to break his own rules."
Niccolò Machiavelli
"A leader's worth is measured by the strength they inspire in others."
Torquato Tasso
R
"The true measure of a nation lies not in its monuments, but in the character of its people."
Ramalho Ortigão
A
"O líder verdadeiro serve, não domina."
Almeida Garrett
A
"O líder deixa um legado, não apenas um cargo."
Almeida Garrett
A
"The strength of a nation resides in the character of its citizens."
Alexandre Herculano
A
"Leadership is the burden of lifting others while bearing your own weight."
Alexandre Herculano
E
"Leadership requires the wisdom to doubt oneself."
Eça de Queirós
E
"Vision distinguishes leaders from mere administrators."
Eça de Queirós
S
"Leadership is the responsibility to serve others first."
Saramago
S
"True leadership requires the humility to learn from all."
Saramago
L
"A true leader serves those he leads."
Luís de Camões
L
"Leadership is service with humility."
Luís de Camões
C
"A leader who does not listen is merely a tyrant with a pleasant facade."
Camilo Castelo Branco
C
"A leader's legacy is measured not in monuments but in the character of those they inspired."
Camilo Castelo Branco
R
"A liderança verdadeira é servir com humildade."
Ramalho Ortigão
L
"The measure of a leader is how they treat those beneath them."
Luís de Camões
"The strength of a nation lies in the character of its people, not its weapons."
Torquato Tasso
"Leadership is the burden of serving those who follow your guidance."
Torquato Tasso