Bert Lance Quotes

Powerful Bert Lance for Daily Growth

About Bert Lance

Bert Lance, a figure of political intrigue and financial innovation, was born on October 25, 1937, in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in a modest household, Lance's early years were marked by a strong work ethic instilled by his parents. He attended the University of Georgia where he excelled academically, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Lance's political career began in 1970 when he was elected as the Mayor of Griffin, Georgia, demonstrating his knack for managing public resources efficiently. In 1974, he made a significant leap into national politics when he was appointed as Director of the Office of Management and Budget by President Jimmy Carter. As Director, Lance implemented innovative ideas to address fiscal issues, including the creation of the Zero-Based Budgeting system, which required all federal agencies to justify their budgets anew each year rather than build on previous budgets. This approach became a hallmark of his tenure. Lance's most controversial role was as the Director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) from 1977-1980, where he became embroiled in a scandal involving the issuance of FDIC loans to banks with political connections. Although this period tarnished his reputation, it also served as a cautionary tale about the intersection of politics and finance. Post-scandal, Lance continued his career in business and real estate, but his impact on American politics, particularly during the Carter administration, remains significant. His quote, "Government is not a department store, where you go to buy anything you want with somebody else's money," encapsulates his pragmatic approach to fiscal responsibility.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow."

This quote by Bert Lance suggests that wealth, or money, should be used as a means to foster growth, particularly in younger generations or ventures. Just as manure is essential for plants to flourish, money serves a similar purpose when it's invested wisely into productive activities, nurturing the next generation of successful endeavors and individuals. The quote emphasizes that accumulating wealth without sharing or using it to stimulate growth holds little value in the long run.

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

This quote by Bert Lance highlights that success is not a mystery or an overnight achievement, but rather the outcome of deliberate preparation, persistent effort, and the ability to learn from setbacks. Success requires diligence, resilience, and a willingness to grow and adapt in response to failure or difficulties. Essentially, it's about the journey towards mastery and self-improvement rather than some magical shortcut to accomplishment.

"You can't manage what you can't measure."

The quote "You can't manage what you can't measure" by Bert Lance emphasizes the importance of quantifiable data in effective management. In essence, it suggests that to successfully manage a process or system, one must be able to gather measurable data about it so as to understand its performance, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions based on tangible evidence rather than assumptions or intuition alone.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

This quote by Bert Lance emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in shaping one's own destiny. It suggests that instead of passively waiting for what life brings, we should actively work towards creating our desired future. This perspective encourages proactivity, determination, and a mindset geared towards growth and achievement, rather than being controlled by circumstances or external factors. In essence, it's a call to action, urging individuals to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams with purpose and perseverance.

"I am not a great administrator. I'm a doer."

This quote by Bert Lance highlights his practical, hands-on approach to administration. Rather than focusing on theoretical or managerial aspects, he identifies himself as someone who prefers to take action and make things happen, emphasizing the importance of doing over managing in a work environment.

I devised the Bert Lance Toe Test then - you go out on the front porch of the house, turn 'The Washington Post' over with your big toe, and if your name's above the fold, you know you're not going to have a good day.

- Bert Lance

Big, Turn, Toe, Fold

I don't see I'll ever arrive at the point where I'll say, 'Lance old boy, you've arrived at success.' There's no question about it. Once you get to the point where you've arrived at a station called success, you get complacent and lethargic. Those goals you set keep changing. But it's not a ruthless sort of thing.

- Bert Lance

Boy, Changing, About, Complacent

I've always tried to set some kind of goal. I want to be better than anybody in the banking business, and when I ran the Highway Department in Georgia, I wanted it to be the best in the country. And of course, I have a high sense of public service.

- Bert Lance

Country, Some, Anybody, Department

If the house is on fire, and the fireman shows up, you don't question his color or credentials. You don't send him back to the firehouse and say, 'Send somebody else.'

- Bert Lance

Color, Question, Credentials, Send

The press aren't willing to wait for whatever the truth is - the truth never catches up with the lie... Destroying people ought not to be a competitive business.

- Bert Lance

Business, Wait, Willing, Ought

All these years, they've been giving lip service to saying that we are a party that is inclusive instead of exclusive. We've said the Democratic Party has a great big umbrella, and everybody can be comfortable under that umbrella. If they didn't mean it, then it ought to be pulled apart.

- Bert Lance

Big, Been, Everybody, Ought

I did not want to be a source of diversion from the Mondale-Ferraro ticket. It appears no matter what I did or tried to do, that would not be the case. I came to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of all to stand aside.

- Bert Lance

Want, Ticket, Appears, Case

Country banks are more flexible in their lending policies than their city brethren are.

- Bert Lance

Country, Lending, Banks, Brethren

Jesse Jackson is not anti-Semitic, but in politics, you always get in trouble when you try to be cute.

- Bert Lance

Politics, Always, Jackson, Anti-Semitic

I don't know how smart I am. I just try to be what I am. I hope I'm modest. I think that's a desirable trait.

- Bert Lance

Think, I Think, Desirable, Trait

I guess it is ironical that I have a chance to say to Jesse Jackson, 'You need to be mature. You need to be positive. You need to be bigger than the folks who are trying to tear you down.'

- Bert Lance

Chance, Need, Mature, Tear

In politics, they don't want anything that deters whatever their goal is. When people get in the way of that, that's when people get hurt - and sometimes destroyed.

- Bert Lance

Politics, Goal, Want, Hurt

Folks are serious about three things: Their religion, their family and, most of all, their money.

- Bert Lance

Money, Most, About, Folks

In politics, you have to understand that there are some cases where you'll never be able to get votes.

- Bert Lance

Politics, Never, Some, Votes

I've always believed that if you had a fellow who works 150 percent of the time, he's going to beat a fellow who works something less than that.

- Bert Lance

Always, Going, Works, Fellow

Some people just decide they won't vote for you, but it doesn't have to be all negative.

- Bert Lance

Some People, Some, Decide, Negative

It's never easy to say you're sorry.

- Bert Lance

Never, Say, Easy, Sorry

I'm a futures man.

- Bert Lance

Man, Futures

I happen to truly believe this: Success is a journey and not a destination.

- Bert Lance

Journey, Success Is, Happen, Destination

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.