Isambard Kingdom Brunel

My legacy: structures that endure.

I have been accused of being a visionary, but I am not. I am a practical man, and I have always been so.

The public are not aware of the difficulties which engineers have to contend with.

I am not aware of any other profession in which a man is so constantly called upon to exercise his judgment as in that of an engineer.

The great object of an engineer is to do with one dollar what any fool can do with two.

I believe that the greatest good that can be done to a country is to improve its means of communication.

The engineer is the man who makes things possible.

I have always endeavoured to make my works as perfect as possible, and to leave nothing to chance.

The true engineer is one who can combine the theoretical with the practical.

I have always considered that the greatest triumph of an engineer is to overcome difficulties.

The success of an undertaking depends more upon the skill and judgment of the engineer than upon any other circumstance.

I have always been of the opinion that the best way to learn is by doing.

The engineer's work is never done.

I have always endeavoured to make my works useful as well as ornamental.

The engineer is the pioneer of civilization.

I have always been a great advocate for the employment of the best materials and the best workmanship.

The engineer is the man who can make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before.

I have always considered that the greatest pleasure an engineer can have is to see his works successfully completed.

The engineer is the man who can turn dreams into reality.

I have always been of the opinion that the more difficulties there are to be overcome, the greater is the triumph.