Quote by William B. Given
Details often kill initiative, but there have been few successful men who weren't good at details. Don't ignore details. Lick them.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the importance of paying attention to details despite the notion that they can sometimes stifle initiative. It suggests that while excessive focus on details can hinder progress, successful individuals recognize the significance of these finer points and excel at handling them. Ignoring details completely would be counterproductive, and instead, one should embrace them fully. By "licking" the details, the quote encourages thorough understanding and meticulousness, pointing out that the ability to excel at both big-picture thinking and paying attention to intricate specifics is a key characteristic of accomplished individuals.