Grace Hopper

I'm just a little old lady who happens to be a computer scientist.

One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions.

You can't just teach people to do things. You have to teach them to think.

I don't think I'm a genius. I just work hard.

It's a beautiful thing, a computer. It's a wonderful thing.

I'm not afraid of anything. I'm too old for that.

The computer will do what you tell it to do, but that may not be what you want it to do.

I love to teach. I love to talk to young people.

I didn't do anything special. I just kept going.

The greatest contribution that computers make is to free us from routine work.

That's why I'm still here. I enjoy it.

The most damaging phrase in the language is: 'It's always been done that way.'

You don't manage people; you manage things. You lead people.

They told me computers could only do arithmetic.

Developing a compiler was a logical move; but in matters like this, you don't run against logic — you run against people who can't change their minds.

If one ox could not do the job they did not try to grow a bigger ox, but used two oxen. When we need greater computer power, the answer is not to get a bigger computer, but... to build systems of computers and operate them in parallel.

The most important thing I've accomplished, other than building the compiler, is training young people.

I've always been more interested in the future than in the past.

At any given moment, there is always a line representing what your boss will believe. If you step over it, you will not get your budget. Go as close to that line as you can.

You don't teach people how to be curious. You give them the tools through which they can express their curiosity.