Home / Authors / Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense

Donald Rumsfeld is a prominent American politician who served as the United States Secretary of Defense twice. Born on July 9, 1932, Rumsfeld has extensive experience in political and military affairs, leading key national security and defense policies.

Filter quotes by topic

All Ifs People President Iraq Knows Country War Thinking May Weapons

Famous Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

“Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.”

Speak Walks Shoes Ill Boots Predecessors Successors

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems.”

Enough Problem Blame Boss Boss Day Boss's Day Funny Boss Day Happy Boss Day National Boss Day Funny Boss

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task.”

Mistake Tasks Critical Making Mistakes Principal Correcting

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Oh my goodness gracious, what you can buy off the Internet in terms of overhead photography. A trained ape can know an awful lot of what is going on in this world, just by punching on his mouse, for a relatively modest cost.”

Knows World Term This World Internet Cost Goodness Photography Awful Modest Mice Gracious Apes Overhead Punching

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

War Peace Views Tendencies Anti War Antiwar Depressing

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was - by a taxpayer.”

Ifs Hard Treats Dollars Taxpayers

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Don't divide the world into 'them' and 'us.' Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the press, the Congress, rivals, or opponents. Accept them as facts. They have their jobs and you have yours.”

World Facts Jobs Accepting Presses Congress Opponents Divides Resentment Infatuation Rivals Infatuated

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

Thinking Planning Operations Time Management Day To Day Planning Ahead Thinking Ahead

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.”

Ifs Inspirational May Motivational Action Leadership Criticism Obstacles Favourite

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.”

Journey Integrity Travel Argument Funny Travel Convenience Lack Of Integrity

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

Success Ability Depends Instinct Being Yourself Congratulations

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won't last any longer than that.”

Ifs I Can Use Today Lasts Force Five Week Months Iraq Use Of Force

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.”

Funny Dangerous Errors Precise Margins Precision

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“I don't do quagmires.”

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right.”

Ifs Stills Doubt

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.”

Leadership Vision Edges Inspiring Leader Sharp Edges Rough Edges

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and the customers.”

Organization Management Distance Customers Managers Layers

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.”

Thinking Men World Said Indispensable Cemetery Infallible Full Of Yourself

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible, let the flak pass, and work towards those goals.”

Jobs Goal Obstacles Do The Best Setting Goals Static Clutter Best Job

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“If a prospective Presidential approach can't be explained clearly enough to be understood well, it probably hasn't been thought through well enough. If not well understood by the American people, it probably won't 'sail' anyway. Send it back for further thought.”

People Ifs Inspirational Wells Enough Funny Perspective Approach Understood Presidential Sail Sailing

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Don't say 'the White House wants.' Buildings can't want.”

Want House White Building White House

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

Facts Decision Views Being True Presidential Tone Execution

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive.”

Knows May Amount Criticism Publicity

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

Knows Persons Stills Position Despite Staff Publicity Accompany Notoriety

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views.”

Knows Want Remember President Views Presses Euthanasia

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“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.”

Thinking Helping President Leadership Shapes Critical Command Contact Consent

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Plan backwards as well as forward. Set objectives and trace back to see how to achieve them. You may find that no path can get you there. Plan forward to see where your steps will take you, which may not be clear or intuitive.”

Wells May Steps Path Clear Plans Achieve Objectives Backwards Intuitive

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance.”

Able Values President Wonder Performances

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.”

Ifs Issues Keys Aspect Presidential Suspects Disagree

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post.”

Fronts Pages Posts

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If you run, you may lose. And, if you tie, you do not win.”

Ifs Firsts May Running Politics Winning Loses Ties Ballots Can't Win

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.”

Ifs Decision Policy Tests Guidance Staff

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.”

Ifs President Mistake Delay Foul Compounds

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Imagine, a September 11 with weapons of mass destruction. It's not 3,000. It's tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children.”

Men Children Imagine Weapons Mass Destruction Innocent Innocence September Men Women September 11 Weapons Of Mass Destruction Mass Destruction Innocent Man

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

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

Opportunity Politics Enjoy Serious Filled Errors

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Learn to say 'I don't know.' If used when appropriate, it will be often.”

Ifs Knows Used Appropriate

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution.”

Asks President Decision Security Caution Personal Security

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

Ifs Two President Tasks Confused

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Preserve the President's options. He may need them.”

Needs May President Preserves Hype

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective.”

Looks Leadership Cost Lows Presidential Presidential Leadership

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.”

People Products Activity Prunes

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.”

People Wells Paid Servant Public Servants

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

Numbers Middle Lawyer Streams Dams Beavers

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don't tell him the truth. Others won't do it.”

Ifs President Failing News Bad News Delivering

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.”

Cutting Layers Staff Civilians Pentagon

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last. All the pressures are to the contrary.”

Firsts Lasts House White Pressure Contrary White House Staff

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.”

Thinking Europe France Germany Nato Center Of Gravity

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort is spent, rather than whether the money or effort actually achieves the announced goal.”

Politics Goal Effort Focus Achieve Presses Congress Bureaucracy Government Bureaucracy

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When errors occur, give sharper guidance. If errors persist or if the fit feels wrong, help them move on. The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House.”

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or you, delegate it. Force responsibility down and out. Find problem areas, add structure and delegate. The pressure is to do the reverse. Resist it.”

Ifs Matter Problem Force President Decision Responsibility Areas Pressure Down And Structure Add Reverse Delegates Delegation Bottlenecks

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

About the Author

Born: July 9, 1932
Known for: Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
Quotes: 224

Related Topics

Ifs People President Iraq Knows Country War Thinking May Weapons

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001Related source material

Known and Unknown: A MemoirRelated source material

The World According to RummyRelated source material

Known and UnknownRelated source material

Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and LifeRelated source material

Similar Authors

Ari FleischerBrowse related quotes
Bob GrahamBrowse related quotes
Sandy BergerBrowse related quotes
John F. KerryBrowse related quotes
Tony BlairBrowse related quotes
Colin PowellBrowse related quotes
Laurence SilbermanBrowse related quotes
Dick CheneyBrowse related quotes
Scott RitterBrowse related quotes
Richard ArmitageBrowse related quotes