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

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you...

Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you...

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...

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries...

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries...

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade....

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade....

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...

Members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate are not there by accident. Each...

Members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate are not there by accident. Each...

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...

Look for what's missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what's proposed...

Look for what's missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what's proposed...

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...

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...

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him...

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him...

Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or...

Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or...

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...

Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When...

Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When...

It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.

It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.

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

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