Quotes by Condoleezza Rice

“Our work has only begun. In our time we have an historic opportunity to shape a global balance of power that favors freedom and that will therefore deepen and extend the peace. And I use the word power broadly, because even more important than military and indeed economic power is the power of ideas, the power of compassion, and the power of hope.”

“Im a huge proponent of exchanges, student exchanges, cultural exchanges, university exchanges. We talk a lot about public diplomacy, ... Its extremely important that we get our message out, but its also the case that we should not have a monologue with other people. It has to be a conversation, and you cant do that without exchanges and openness.”

“differences can be a strength.”

“Success is not assured, but America is resolute: this is the best chance for peace we are likely to see for some years to come - and we are acting to help Israelis and Palestinians seize this chance.”

“We need a common enemy to unite us.”

“The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons. But we dont want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud.”

“Punish France, ignore Germany, and forgive Russia.”

“Weve always said that we were not going to have a cookie-cutter approach,”

“unfortunately on a path right now where relations are not improving, but are worsening.”

“I believe they are going to finish this, ... We are confident that they will complete this process and continue on the path toward elections for a permanent government at the end of the year.”

Power is nothing unless you can turn it into influence.

For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region, here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither.

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

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. That it doesn’t matter where you came from but where you are going.

Foreign policy simply cannot be judged by todays headlines that chalk up victories and defeats like so many box scores in the sports sections.

My mom was a teacher - I have the greatest respect for the profession - we need great teachers - not poor or mediocre ones.

Some governments choose to cooperate with the United States in intelligence, law enforcement, or military matters. The co-operation is a two-way street. We share intelligence that has helped protect European countries from attack, helping save European lives.

We know that there are unaccounted-for Scud and other ballistic missiles in Iraq. And part of the problem is that, since 1998, there has been no way to even get minimal information about those programs except through intelligence means.

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.

After all, when the world looks to America, they look to us because we are the most successful political and economic experiment in human history.