Quotations: JOHN ROBERTS 1

Following are selected quotations from drafts of the book in progress:
200 Personal Qualities: An Encyclopedic Guide for Parents, Teachers, Leaders and Personal Self-Development, by John Roberts. See: www.SupersonicBooks.com

Action
Successful aggressive action is as much timing as bravery. The person who takes bold action in the face of challenge and threat is admirable. In that image, however, must be included training and clear thought under pressure of time and circumstances, so that action is not foolish or inexperienced. As a fighter pilot, I know there are times when the safest thing to do is to act, and the most dangerous thing to do is nothing. That doesn’t mean you don’t know when to keep your head down and your defenses up.

Balance
Every life must have a balance. There must be alternatives and choices. There is a synergy to work and play that produces a whole greater than the parts. An imbalance can occur for extended time, but enjoyment and productivity decline until a change is required. The playboy and the workaholic each have their limits. The balanced person remains in control, and learns how to diversify and enjoy and produce so that the dividing line between activities nearly disappears.

Character
Your character, the mystical, synergistic combination of a myriad of qualities, and so much more, defines and enables you. How well you build it, how you present it to the world, and how you use it, determine what you are and will be.

Compromise
There are times for principle, for holding firm, and knowing why. But, only if one also knows the time and value of compromise and sacrifice. It is a two-edged sword in the hands of the warrior-diplomat we must all be.

Credibility
Your credibility must be built into yourself before it can be built into others. If you project and demonstrate qualities of sincerity, honesty, integrity, consistency and authenticity, others will believe both what you say and that it will be matched by what you do. Only then can you lead them, marry them, or be their friend.

Curiosity
It is said that a great virtue is knowing what you don’t know. Carry that another step and have a driving hunger to fill the gaps. Being a narrow-minded specialist is not the way to enjoy or understand the world. Yes, have your one thing to love and conquer, but float it in the stormy sea of knowledge and humanity and it will become a great ship to carry you forward, not a lonely rock beyond the sunlight.

Daring
To dare is not the foolish and frivolous game of children. It is a plan with a vision, driven by an understanding of the risk vs. reward ratio, the confidence in the capabilities that make it possible and the necessity of achieving the goal. With all that, however, there are still the matters of the spirit and excitement of taking a flight into an unknown sky.