Keyword: Committees

The efficiency of a committee meeting is inversely proportional to the number of participants and the time spent on deliberations.

To get something done, a committee should consist of no more than three men, two of whom are absent.


Committee reports dealing with wages, salaries, fringe benefits, facilities, computers, employee parking, libraries, coffee breaks, secretarial support, etc., always call for dramatic expenditure increases.

There are four things that hold back human progress – ignorance, stupidity, committees and accountants.

(1797 – 1875) American accountant

Those most opposed to serving on committees are made chairmen.

There is a tendency for the person in the most powerful position in an organization to spend all his time serving on committees and signing letters.

I've searched all the parks in all the cities and found no statues of committees.

(1874 – 1936) English author & mystery novelist

If Columbus had had an advisory committee he would probably still be at the dock.

(1908 – 1990) American statesman, jurist & attorney

An original idea can never emerge from committee in the original.

A committee is a group of the unprepared, appointed by the unwilling to do the unnecessary.

(1894 – 1956) American radio comedian

An original idea can never emerge from committee in the original.

A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.

British clerk of the House of Commons

A committee can make a decision that is dumber than any of its members.


If you leave the room, you're elected.

If you want to kill any idea in the world today, get a committee working on it.

The number one book of the ages was written by a committee, and it was called the Bible.

(1884 – 1957) Russian-born American film producer

All committee reports conclude that “it is not prudent to change the policy (or procedure, or organization, or whatever) at this time.”

A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours.

(1908 – 2002) comedian, radio & television actor

1. Never arrive on time, or you will be stamped a beginner.
2. Don't say anything until the meeting is half over; this stamps you as being wise.
3. Be as vague as possible; this prevents irritating the others.
4. When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.
5. Be the first to move for adjournment; this will make you popular – it's what everyone is waiting for.

Committee: A group of the unwilling, picked from the unfit, to do the unnecessary.

(1911 – 1969) American school superintendent, philosopher & humorist

Statistics have proven that the surest way to get anything out of the public mind and never hear of it again is to have a Senate Committee appointed to look into it.

(1879 – 1935) humorist & social commentator