Quotes from Donald Rumsfeld

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

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying to manage the First Family. They are likely to do fine without your help.

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.

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.

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

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos.

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.

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

Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin's still learning.

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

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it can better be handled privately, by voluntary organizations, or by local or state governments.

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.

Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.

What is needed [to combat terrorism], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather than thinking in terms of an exit strategy, focus on a strategy for success.

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

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

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.

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

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

There is no question but that when one is engaged militarily that there are going to be unintended loss of life.

Well, so be it. Nothing's perfect in life, so you have an election that's not quite perfect. Is it better than not having an election? You bet.

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

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.