The first law of computer science: Every problem is solved by yet another indirection.

When done well, software is invisible.

C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot; C++ makes it harder, but when you do it blows your whole leg off.

The most fundamental problem in software development is complexity. There is only one basic way of dealing with complexity: divide and conquer

The most important single aspect of software development is to be clear about what you are trying to build.

It's easy to win forgiveness for being wrong; being right is what gets you into real trouble.

Defining OO as based on the use of class hierarchies and virtual functions is also practical in that it provides some guidance as to where OO is likely to be successful.