Quotes from Colin Powell

People seem to be awfully gullible. They'll believe anything. ~in The NPR Interviews, 1996, edited by Robert Siegel

Diplomacy is listening to what the other guy needs. Preserving your own position but listening to the other guy. You have to develop relationships with other people so when the tough times come, you can work together.

The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting in above-average effort.

At the same time, traditions and rituals remain essential to the military mystique. They instill a sense of belonging and importance in the lives of young soldiers.

I have always tried to keep my confidence and optimism up, no matter how difficult the situation.

we can solve any problem.

a dream doesnt become reality through magic,it takes sweat,determination and hardwork

Never Walk Past a Mistake

When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you think I'll like it or not. Disagreement, at this stage, stimulates me. But once a decision has been made, the debate ends. From that point on, loyalty means executing the decision as if it were your own.

need you. I've often heard blowhard leaders boast, "My outfit is so good, it could function well without me." Hmm, then why do they need you?

I've often heard blowhard leaders boast, "My outfit is so good, it could function well without me." Hmm, then why do they need you?

Each of us must work to become a hardheaded realist, or else we risk wasting our time and energy pursuing impossible dreams. Yet constant naysayers pursue no less impossible dreams. Their fear and cynicism move nothing forward. They kill progress. How many cynics built empires, great cities, or powerful corporations?

Stop, Look, Listen—then strike hard and fast with all the power you need.

instituted Kester's law on signatures. John Kester taught me that every time I put my name to something, I created a legal document. Consequently, no one should sign anything for me but the most innocuous paper.

never permitted. Kester also taught me that a dated document became even more legal.

Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.

No good idea succeeds simply because it is a good idea. Good ideas must have champions—people willing to believe in them, push for them, fight for them, gain adherents and other champions, and press until they succeed.

My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don't share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.

I respect the fact that many denominations have different points of view with respect to gay marriage and they can hold that in the sanctity in the place of their religion and not bless them or solemnize them.

It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure.

None of us can change our yesterdays but all of us can change our tomorrows.

Have fun in your command. Don't always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you've earned it: Spend time with your families.

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.