In the heart of every lawyer, worthy of the name, there burns a deep ambition so to bear himself that the profession may be stronger by reason of his passage through its ranks, and that he may leave the law itself a better instrument of human justice than he found it.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of leaving a positive impact on the legal profession and society through dedicated service.
John W. Davis highlights the noble ambition that should drive every lawyer to contribute to the strength and integrity of the legal profession. The essence of the quote is that lawyers should aspire to enhance the law as a tool for justice, striving to make a meaningful difference during their careers. It calls for a vision of responsibility, urging legal professionals to ensure that their contributions elevate the standards of justice for future generations.
In practice
During a speech at a legal conference to inspire young lawyers.
Women still have an uneasy relationship with power and the traits necessary to be a leader. There is this internalized fear that if we are really powerful, we are going to be considered ruthless or pushy or strident - all of those epithets that strike right at our femininity. We are still working at trying to overcome the fear that power and womanliness are mutually exclusive.
Leaders who refuse to listen, will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing helpful to say
Most of my work has been in corporations, studying how you build an organization that helps people to identify and work to their strengths.
Cats do what cats do, ducks do what ducks do, and eagles do what eagles, do. If you take a duck and ask it to do an eagles' job, shame on you. As a leader, your job is to help your ducks to become better ducks and your eagles better eagles - to put individuals in the right places and help them reach their potential.
I am no lover of pompous title, but only desire that my name may be recorded in a line or two, which shall briefly express my name, my virginity, the years of my reign, the reformation of religion under it, and my preservation of peace.
Great leaders never accept the world as it was and always work for the world as it should be
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.