732 Quotes by Donald Rumsfeld

The harder I work, the luckier I am. – Stephen Leacock.

Now, settle down, settle down. Hell, I’m an old man, it’s early in the morning and I’m gathering my thoughts here.

Beware when any idea is promoted primarily because it is “bold, exciting, innovative, and new.” There are many ideas that are “bold, exciting, innovative and new,” but also foolish.

Those who think that they know, but are mistaken, and act upon their mistakes, are the most dangerous people to have in charge. – Margaret Thatcher.

We never believed that we’d just tumble over weapons of mass destruction in that country.

Success tends to go not to the person who is error-free, because he also tends to be risk-averse. Rather it goes to the person who recognizes that life is pretty much a percentage business. It isn’t making mistakes that’s critical; it’s correcting them and getting on with the principal task.

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you’re still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position.

Politics is human beings; it’s addition rather than subtraction.

From where you sit, the White House may look as untidy as the inside of a stomach. As is said of the legislative process, sausage-making and policy-making shouldn’t be seen close-up. Don’t let that panic you. Things may be going better than they look from the inside.