Quotes by Donald Rumsfeld

“Reports that say that something hasnt happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do no know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we dont know we dont know”

“Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to carry it off.”

“Think ahead. Dont let day-to-day operations drive out planning.”

“Learn to say I dont know. If used when appropriate, it will be often.”

“Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up.”

“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 isnt making mistakes thats critical; its correcting them and getting on with the principal task.”

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

“I cant tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it wont last any longer than that.”

“In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his thinking. They can be critical to his persuasiveness and thus to his leadership.”

“You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be responsible. Give them authority and hold them accountable. Trying to do too much yourself creates a bottleneck.”

“I used to want to be a Lawyer, but I didnt want to have half my brain sucked out.”

“If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.”

“Lawyers as a group are no more dedicated to justice or public service than a private public utility is dedicated to giving light.”

Reports that say that something hasnt happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns- the ones we dont know we dont know.

Those who made the decisions with imperfect knowledge will be judged in hindsight by those with considerably more information at their disposal and time for reflection.

There are known knowns, things we know that we know; and there are known unknowns, things that we know we dont know. But there are also unknown unknowns, things we do not know we dont know.

If it were a fact, it wouldnt be called intelligence.

If in doubt, dont. If still in doubt, do whats right.

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

Dont necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.