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

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it.

If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it.

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...

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be...

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be...

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....

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

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

Remember where you came from.

Remember where you came from.

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

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

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Our task, your task... is to try to connect the dots before something happens. People...

Our task, your task... is to try to connect the dots before something happens. People...

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.

Keep your sense of humor. As General Joe Stillwell said, The higher a monkey climbs,...

Keep your sense of humor. As General Joe Stillwell said, The higher a monkey climbs,...

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known...

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known...

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders...

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders...

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...

If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.

If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.

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...

When someone with a rural accent says, I don't know much about politics, zip up...

When someone with a rural accent says, I don't know much about politics, zip up...

The flood of money that gushes into politics today is a pollution of democracy.

The flood of money that gushes into politics today is a pollution of democracy.

You do the policy, I'll do the politics.

You do the policy, I'll do the politics.