Grace Hopper

Computer programming pioneer

Modern influential 81 sayings

Sayings by Grace Hopper

They don't teach you that in school. You learn it by doing it.

1970s-1980s — Emphasizing the importance of practical experience.
Humorous Unverifiable

The young people coming along are going to be the ones who solve the problems.

1980s — Expressing optimism about future generations.
Humorous Unverifiable

I'm very much interested in people doing things, not just talking about them.

1980s — Interview, advocating for action over discussion.
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I've always been a little bit of a rebel.

1980s — Interview, describing her personality.
Humorous Unverifiable

The computer is a tool, not a master.

1970s-1980s — Common theme in her speeches about the role of technology.
Humorous Unverifiable

If we're going to have computers, we're going to have to have programmers.

1960s — Emphasizing the human element in computing.
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't believe in taking no for an answer.

1970s-1980s — Reflecting her determined personality.
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The future belongs to those who are willing to take risks.

1980s — Encouraging innovation and bravery.
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You manage things; you lead people.

1980s — A leadership principle she often shared.
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I'm not interested in the past. I'm interested in the future.

1980s — Interview, expressing her forward-looking perspective.
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Why do you sit there and ask me questions? Why don't you get up and do something?

1980s — Reported interaction with a journalist, demonstrating her impatience with inaction.
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My father always told me, 'Grace, you can do anything you want, you just have to work for it.'

1980s — Recalling a formative influence from her father.
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Computers are like people. They have to be taught.

1980s — Interview, drawing an analogy between humans and machines.
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The greatest danger is not in failure, but in succeeding too easily.

1970s — A less common but insightful quote from her.
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I always say the Mark I was the most fun.

1980s — Often repeated sentiment about her early work.
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I'm a great believer in the younger generation.

1980s — Expressing her faith in youth.
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The only constant in the computer industry is change.

1970s-1980s — Her observation about the dynamic nature of technology.
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I never met a computer I didn't like.

1980s — A humorous take on her passion for computers.
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We didn't have any manuals. We had to figure it out ourselves.

1940s — Describing the pioneering days of computing.
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There are two things that are hard in computer science: cache invalidation, naming things, and off-by-one errors.

Unknown — A well-known joke in computer science, sometimes attributed to her or similar figures.
Humorous Unverifiable