Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of...

Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of...

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.

Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.

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...

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

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.

Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems.

Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems.

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

Move decisions out to the Cabinet and agencies. Strengthen them by moving responsibility, authority, and...

Move decisions out to the Cabinet and agencies. Strengthen them by moving responsibility, authority, and...

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal...

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal...

One of your tasks is to separate the personal from the substantive. The two can...

One of your tasks is to separate the personal from the substantive. The two can...

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...

Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page...

Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page...

When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision...

When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision...

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really...

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really...