Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Government Quotes

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...

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...

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

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

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

If a person with a rural accent says 'I don't know much about politics,' zip...

If a person with a rural accent says 'I don't know much about politics,' zip...

In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.

In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.

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.

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...

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

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...

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...

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...

Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

Give advice; if people don't listen, let adversity teach them

Give advice; if people don't listen, let adversity teach them