If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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

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

Remember where you came from.

Remember where you came from.

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...

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

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

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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

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

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

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

Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last....

Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last....

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.

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...

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...

With the press there is no off the record.

With the press there is no off the record.