One of your tasks is to separate the personal from the substantive. The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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...

In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact...

In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact...

If a prospective Presidential approach can't be explained clearly enough to be understood well, it...

If a prospective Presidential approach can't be explained clearly enough to be understood well, it...

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

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...

Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this...

Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this...

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to...

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to...

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....

Oh my goodness gracious, what you can buy off the Internet in terms of overhead...

Oh my goodness gracious, what you can buy off the Internet in terms of overhead...

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...

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 divide the world into hem and us. Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the...

Don't divide the world into hem and us. Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the...

Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting...

Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting...

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

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

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.

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...

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...

I instantly smile when I see a text from you, I don't care what's in...

I instantly smile when I see a text from you, I don't care what's in...

In any culture, subculture, or family in which belief is valued above thought, and self-surrender...

In any culture, subculture, or family in which belief is valued above thought, and self-surrender...

If you aren't good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone,...

If you aren't good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone,...