Home / Authors / Robert McNamara

Robert McNamara

Robert McNamara Quotes

Former United States Secretary of Defense

Robert McNamara was the United States Secretary of Defense during the Cold War era, born on June 9, 1916, and passed away on July 6, 2009. He had a profound impact on American military and international relations during his tenure as Defense Secretary.

Filter quotes by topic

All War Nuclear Nations Ifs World Nuclear Weapons Thinking Vietnam War Weapons Action Important May Policy Call Of Duty Force Has Beens Humans Immoral Increase Issues

Famous Robert McNamara Quotes

“I think the human race needs to think about killing. How much evil must we do to do good?”

Thinking Needs Humans Evil Race Killing Human Race Call Of Duty Modern Warfare Modern Warfare 2

Author:Robert McNamara

“I don't object to its being called "McNamara's war." I think it is a very important war and I am pleased to be identified with it and do whatever I can to win it.”

Thinking I Can Important War Winning Objects

Book:In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam

Source: In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam

“Elimination of nuclear weapons, so naive, so simplistic, and so idealistic as to be quixotic? Some may think so. But as human beings, citizens of nations with power to influence events in the world, can we be at peace with ourselves if we strive for less? I think not.”

Ifs Thinking World Humans May Nations Human Beings Influence Events Citizens Weapons Strive Nuclear Nuclear Weapons Naive Elimination Idealistic Quixotic

Author:Robert McNamara

“If we'd lost the war, we'd all have been prosecuted as war criminals. And I think he's right. He, and I'd say I, were behaving as war criminals.”

Ifs Thinking Has Beens War Lost Criminals Vietnam War

Book:Official Teacher's Guide for The Fog of War: An Errol Morris Film

Source: Official Teacher's Guide for The Fog of War: An Errol Morris Film

“Rationality will not save us.”

Thinking Rationality

Book:Official Teacher's Guide for The Fog of War: An Errol Morris Film

Source: Official Teacher's Guide for The Fog of War: An Errol Morris Film

About the Author

Born: June 9, 1916
Died: July 6, 2009
Known for: Former United States Secretary of Defense
Quotes: 48

Related Topics

War Nuclear Nations Ifs World Nuclear Weapons Thinking Vietnam War Weapons Action Important May Policy Call Of Duty Force Has Beens Humans Immoral Increase Issues

Popular Topics

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

Books & Sources

Official Teacher's Guide for The Fog of War: An Errol Morris FilmRelated source material

The Essence of Security: Reflections in OfficeRelated source material

In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of VietnamRelated source material

The Changing Nature of Global Security and Its Impact on South AsiaRelated source material

The first century of the nuclear age: can we survive itRelated source material

Similar Authors

Herman KahnBrowse related quotes
Joseph RotblatBrowse related quotes
Joseph CirincioneBrowse related quotes
Bernard LownBrowse related quotes
Chuck HornerBrowse related quotes
Noel GaylerBrowse related quotes
John BurroughsBrowse related quotes
Mohamed ElBaradeiBrowse related quotes
John BoltonBrowse related quotes
Iccho ItohBrowse related quotes