Donald Rumsfeld

The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships. — Abraham Lincoln

Reports that say that something hasn't 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 don't know we don't know.

Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see. — Arthur Schopenhauer

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

What you measure improves.” A corollary rule in the military is that “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.

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

The harder I work, the luckier I am. — Stephen Leacock

Let your words be as few as will express the sense you wish to convey and above all let what you say be true. — Stonewall Jackson

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.

When surprise occurs, such as when the economy enters an unexpected recession or a conflict begins seemingly out the blue, the natural reaction is to immediately ask who made the “obvious” mistake. It is much easier to believe that our leaders are incompetent than to accept the less pleasant reality that ours is a world where uncertainty and surprise are the norm, not the exception.

Bank, NATO, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization of American States,

every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.

You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.

Есть известная известность. Есть вещи, которые мы знаем, что знаем. Есть известная неизвестность. То есть, есть вещи, которые мы знаем, что не знаем. Но существует еще и неизвестная неизвестность. Есть вещи, которые мы не знаем, что не знаем.

I wrote a memo for the President, noting that McGovern’s “warmth, concern, and decency are appealing.” I suggested that the administration seek opportunities to highlight Nixon’s interest in the problems of ordinary Americans. I believed Nixon did care about improving people’s quality of life but that he just preferred to view and discuss things in theoretical, rather than personal,