40 quotes
My heart grieves when I think about the situation in the Middle East.
Every organization should tolerate rebels who tell the emperor he has no clothes.
The Powell Principles (2003)
Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.
The Powell Principles (2003)
There is only one China. Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation, and that remains our policy, our firm policy.
I wonder what will happen if we put half a million troops on the ground, and scour Iraq from one corner to the other, and find no weapons of mass destruction?
This may sound a little improper, but when the Vice President and I are alone it's Colin and Dick.
What the hell, what are these guys thinking about? Can't you get these guys back in the box?
And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith.
It’s just like in the military — you argue, you debate something, but once the president has made a decision, that becomes a decision for the Cabinet.
There's also a dark vein of intolerance in some parts of the party. What do I mean by that? What I mean by that is they still sort of look down on minorities.
NBC's Meet the Press (2013)
I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world — onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama.
The United Nations will spearhead our efforts to manage the new conflicts (that afflict our world)....Yes the principles of the United Nations Charter are worth our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
Finally, I shudder to think of the legal morass we will create trying to implement the body of law that will emerge from such an amendment.
Letter to Patrick Leahy (1999)
You break it, you own it.
Plan of Attack (2004)
Success ultimately rests on small things, lots of small things. Leaders have to have a feel for small things — a feel for what is going in in the depths of an organization where small things reside. The more senior you become, the more you are isolated by pomp and staff, and the harder and more necessary it becomes to know what is going on six floors down. One way is to leave the top floor and its grand accoutrements and get down into the bowels for real. Don't tell anyone you are coming. Avoid advance notices that produce crash cleanups, frantic preparations, and PowerPoint presentations.
It Worked For Me (2012)
Americans revere their flag as a symbol of the Nation. Indeed, it is because of that reverence that the amendment is under consideration. Few countries in the world would think of amending their Constitution for the purpose of protecting such a symbol.
Letter to Patrick Leahy (1999)
As you will see, there are no conclusions or recommendations, just my observations. The chapters are freestanding. You can read them straight through or jump in anywhere. Everyone has life lessons and stories. These are mine. All I can say is that they worked for me.
It Worked For Me (2012)
I believe that when you first take over a new outfit, start out trusting the people there unless you have real evidence not to. If you trust them, they will trust you, and those bonds will strengthen over time. They will work hard to make sure you do well. They will protect you and cover you. They will take care of you.
It Worked For Me (2012)
I didn’t have any choice... What choice did I have? He’s the president.
If a [helicopter] spotted a peasant in black pajamas who looked remotely suspicious, a possible MAM, the pilot would circle and fire in front of him. If he moved, his movement was judged evidence of hostile intent, and the next burst was not in front, but at him.
My American Journey (1996)