Keyword: Committees

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
Congress Government

A committee of three gets things done if two don’t show up.

Murphy’s Laws People

Of all possible committee reactions to any given agenda item, the reaction that will occur is the one which will liberate the greatest amount of hot air.

Communication Murphy’s Laws Speech

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.

Murphy’s Laws

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.

Murphy’s Laws Time

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


Intelligence People

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

Ideas Intelligence Murphy’s Laws

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

Murphy’s Laws Time

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

(1908 – 2002) comedian, radio & television actor
People Time

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

Money Murphy’s Laws

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

(1908 – 1990) American statesman, jurist & attorney
Beliefs Opinion People

Those most opposed to serving on committees are made chairmen.

Murphy’s Laws

A committee is twelve men doing the work of one.

(1932 – 2009) U.S. senator (Massachusetts)
People

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

Murphy’s Laws People

A committee is a group of people who individually can do nothing but together can decide that nothing can be done.

(1894 – 1956) American radio comedian
Individuals Work

The real objective of a committee is not to reach a decision, but to avoid it.

Murphy’s Laws

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


People

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

Ideas Intelligence Murphy’s Laws

A committee is the only life form with 12 stomachs and no brain.

Murphy’s Laws People

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

British clerk of the House of Commons
Ideas Intelligence

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

Ideas Intelligence Murphy’s Laws