“The hero is the one who goes beyond his ability to improve his skills, until he becomes able to improve, and perhaps even alter, the skills of others.”

“If one abandons all other abilities and focuses his strength entirely on a single specialized skill, then he can overcome even the greatest of powers.”

“Defeat exists but not suffering. A true warrior knows that when he loses a battle, he is improving the skill with which he wields a sword. He will be able to fight more skilfullly next time.”

“It is the capacity to develop and improve their skills that distinguishes leaders from followers.”

“Life keeps throwing me curve balls and I don't even own a bat. At least my dodging skills are improving.”

“We all have a vast number of areas in which we have no talent or skill and little chance of becoming even mediocre. In those areas a knowledge workers should not take on work, jobs and assignments. It takes far more energy to improve from incompetence to mediocrity than it takes to improve from first-rate performance to excellence.”