520 Quotes by Condoleezza Rice

As secretary of state it’s been an enormous honor to represent this great country that I love so much – I have really seen that our great strengths are in the ability of people to reach their potential here.

People may oppose you, but when they realize you can hurt them, they’ll join your side.

Your friends and your family, if you’re close to them, they won’t let you get too far from who you were or from who you are. And so I love staying close to people who’ve always known me. That’s probably the best leavening that you could possibly have.

I’m an American, nothing is impossible.

Societies that treat women badly are dangerous societies. The empowerment of women is not only morally right it is also practical in the positive impact it has on so many social ills.

The essence of America – that which really unites us – is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion – it is an idea – and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.

In any country, if you don’t have countervailing institutions, the power of any one president is problematic for democratic development.

You do have to keep in mind as you’re going through extraordinarily difficult circumstances, that if you stay true, true to your values, if you stay true to your principles, if you believe in these values, then you can work in that context to right policies that may not be working.

What the United States has done hasn’t always been liked or popular. But if you look at some of the most populous places in the world – China, India – the United States is not only respected but, in fact, popular.