Great Throughts Treasury

This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.

John Wood

Author, Founder of Room to Read nonprofit, Public Speaker, Microsoft Director of Business Development for the Greater China Region

"You don't motivate people. You influence what they're motivated to do."

"The biggest risk is that a lot of people will try to talk you out of pursuing your dream. The world has too many people who are happy to discuss why something might not work, and too few who will cheer you and say, "I'm there for you." The more time you spend navel-gazing, the longer you give those negative gravitational forces to keep you in their tether."

"Right now what I need to think about is what would be possible, not all the reasons I can't make a change."

"Sometimes, it's really important to move with all deliberate speed. If there is something out there that you want to do to make the world a better place, don't focus on the obstacles. Don't ask for permission. Just dive in. Don't let the naysayers get you down."