Portrait of Grace Hopper

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.
General Unverifiable

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

1980s — Expressing optimism about future generations.
General Unverifiable

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

1980s — Interview, advocating for action over discussion.
General Unverifiable

I've always been a little bit of a rebel.

1980s — Interview, describing her personality.
General Unverifiable

The computer is a tool, not a master.

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

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

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

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

1970s-1980s — Reflecting her determined personality.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

The future belongs to those who are willing to take risks.

1980s — Encouraging innovation and bravery.
General Unverifiable

You manage things; you lead people.

1980s — A leadership principle she often shared.
Life & Aging Unverifiable

I'm not interested in the past. I'm interested in the future.

1980s — Interview, expressing her forward-looking perspective.
General Unverifiable

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.
General Unverifiable

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.
Work & Money Unverifiable

Computers are like people. They have to be taught.

1980s — Interview, drawing an analogy between humans and machines.
General Unverifiable

The greatest danger is not in failure, but in succeeding too easily.

1970s — A less common but insightful quote from her.
Food & Drink Unverifiable

I always say the Mark I was the most fun.

1980s — Often repeated sentiment about her early work.
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

I'm a great believer in the younger generation.

1980s — Expressing her faith in youth.
Food & Drink Unverifiable

The only constant in the computer industry is change.

1970s-1980s — Her observation about the dynamic nature of technology.
General Unverifiable

I never met a computer I didn't like.

1980s — A humorous take on her passion for computers.
General Unverifiable

We didn't have any manuals. We had to figure it out ourselves.

1940s — Describing the pioneering days of computing.
General Unverifiable

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.
General Unverifiable
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