John Heider Quotations

Endless drama in a group clouds consciousness. Too much noise overwhelms the senses. Continual input obscures genuine insight. Do not substitute sensationalism for learning.

To know how other people behave takes intelligence, but to know myself takes wisdom. To manage other people's lives takes strength, but to manage my own life takes true power. If I am content with what I have, I can live simply and enjoy both prosperity and free time. If my goals are clear, I can achieve them without fuss. If I am at peace with myself, I will not spend my life force in conflicts. If I have learned to let go, I do not need to fear dying.

The wise leader speaks rarely and briefly. After all, no other natural outpouring goes on and on. It rains and then it stops. It thunders and then it stops.

Have respect for every person and every issue directed at you. Do not dismiss any encounter as insignificant.

Your behaviour influences others through a ripple effect. A ripple effect works because everyone influences everyone else. Powerful people are powerful influences.

The leader teaches more through being than through doing. The quality of one's silence conveys more than long speeches.

If you want to be free, learn to live simply.

Allow regular time for silent reflection. Turn inward and digest what has happened. Let the senses rest and grow still.

There's a lot of subtlety. Lots of detail in the performances. People could come see it a couple times and see new things.

Teach people to let go of their superficial mental chatter and obsessions. Teach people to pay attention to the whole body's reaction to a situation.