Perfection of planning is a symptom of decay. During a period of exciting discovery or progress, there is no time to plan the perfect headquarters.

Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. General recognition of this fact is shown in the proverbial phrase "It is the busiest man who has time to spare."

The nice thing about standards is, there are so many to choose from. Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

Deliberative bodies become decreasingly effective after they pass five to eight members.

Imagination is essential and it comes first, for without imagination we are aimless.

The man who is denied the opportunity of taking decisions of importance begins to regard as important the decisions he is allowed to take. He becomes fussy about filing, keen on seeing that pencils are sharpened, eager to ensure that the windows are open (or shut) and apt to use two or three different-colored inks.

The basic quality for the diplomat is not intelligence but loyalty.