A lot of overengineering has been justified in the name of flexibility. But more often than not, excessive layers of abstraction and indirection get in the way.

— Eric Evans, Domain-Driven Design

Much of what has been espoused in software engineering in the last twenty years—Agile development, unit testing, the debate about errors versus exceptions, and the benefits of different programming languages—has been presented without any experimental backing.

— Adam Barr, The Problem With Software

A sense of injustice may lead to murder, or to a ground-breaking work of economic theory. Envy may lead to bitterness, or to a decision to compete with a rival and the production of a masterpiece.

— Alain De Botton, The Consolations of Philosophy

Throughout a forty-year career, there are times when you’re rested and looking for a challenging, enveloping role. There are going to be other times when you’re drained and worn out. You will harm yourself by accepting a role that demands more pace from you than you’re able to presently sustain.

— Will Larson and Tanya Reilly, Staff Engineer

Do you see that having to be right is making you suffer?

— Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp, The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership