David McCullough

If everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone gets a trophy, trophies become meaningless.

David McCullough

If we think back through our own lives, the subjects that you liked best in school almost certainly were taught by the teachers you liked best. And the teacher you liked best was the teacher who cared about the subject she taught.

David McCullough

In America, applause is won only by physical exertion.

David McCullough

It was a day and age that saw no reason why one could not learn whatever was required – learn vitally anything – by the close study of books.

David McCullough

My love is to tell a story but I like stories that evolve from character, from the nature of the individuals involved.

David McCullough

Take the teacher not the course. Find out who the great professors are – the great teachers – and take their courses because a subject that you may not think you’re interested in may turn out to be infinitely fascinating because of the way it’s taught.

David McCullough

The great thing about the arts is that you can only learn to do it by doing it.

David McCullough

The man who wishes to keep at the problem long enough to really learn anything positively must not take dangerous risks. Carelessness and overconfidence ate usually more dangerous than deliberately accepted risks.

David McCullough

The more we see the founders as humans the more we can understand them.

David McCullough

There’s an awful temptation to just keep on researching. There comes a point where you just have to stop, and start writing.

David McCullough