Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him...

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him...

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all...

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all...

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.

There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's...

There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's...

Learn to say I don't know. If used when appropriate, it will be often.

Learn to say I don't know. If used when appropriate, it will be often.

Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and...

Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and...

Have a deputy and develop a successor. Don't be consumed by the job or you'll...

Have a deputy and develop a successor. Don't be consumed by the job or you'll...

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If...

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If...

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to...

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to...

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered...

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered...

Oh, that lovely title, ex-president.

Oh, that lovely title, ex-president.

I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Partys candidate for...

I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Partys candidate for...