The most damaging phrase in the language is: it's always been done… — Grace Hopper | Printable Wall Art

“The most damaging phrase in the language is: it's always been done that way.”

Words by Grace Hopper (1906-1992) — Computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral.

About this quote

This quote warns against complacency and uncritical reliance on habit. Grace Hopper believed that sticking to traditional methods simply out of routine blocks progress, stifles creativity, and stops people from finding better ways to solve problems. True improvement requires questioning established procedures, remaining open to new ideas, and having the courage to challenge how things have always been managed in the past.

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, a pioneer of computer programming, frequently used this phrase during speeches and interviews in her later career to encourage innovation and challenge institutional inertia.

People often hang this print in a home office or workshop to encourage fresh thinking and continuous improvement.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.