Famous Quotes & Sayings

Condoleezza Rice Quotes & Sayings

Enjoy the top 100 famous quotes, sayings and quotations by Condoleezza Rice.

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Famous Quotes By Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 171297

I wish that after the war against Saddam Hussein we had been more effective at rebuilding Iraq quickly. I think had we done it from the provinces, in, rather than from Baghdad, out, we might have been more successful. — Condoleezza Rice

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We are at war, and our security as a nation depends on winning that war. — Condoleezza Rice

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My mom was a teacher - I have the greatest respect for the profession - we need great teachers - not poor or mediocre ones. — Condoleezza Rice

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I was born in segregated Birmingham, Alabama. I didn't have a white classmate till we moved to Denver. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 2038445

I'm saying there is no way that I will do this, because it's really not me. I know my strengths, and governor Romney needs to find someone who wants to run with him. There are many people who will do it very, very well, and I'll support the ticket. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 797833

One thing that education can do is it can provide us with an opportunity to understand one another better, and so while I've spent a lot of my time in the world of politics, I've always felt that it is really not politics that will solve this for us. — Condoleezza Rice

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The first step for a leader is to be right with yourself. Integrity is the basis of leadership. — Condoleezza Rice

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We're in the middle of the transformation of a society that has handled its politics through repression to a society that will handle its politics through democratic institutions. — Condoleezza Rice

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I believe that Reverend [Florine] Thompson's hit on something. My parents, I and a lot of my friends growing up in that community had tremendous drive. — Condoleezza Rice

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I didn't run for student council president. I don't see myself in any way in elected office. I love policy. I'm not particularly fond of politics. — Condoleezza Rice

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I believe our Presidents work hard and it's the loneliest job in the world. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1102155

We [USA] need to deal with our problems here at home if we're going to be strong enough to lead abroad. — Condoleezza Rice

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Fortunately, I started very young, so I read music very well. And my favorite composers to play are Brahms and Mozart. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1757057

You do have to keep in mind as you're going through extraordinarily difficult circumstances, that if you stay true, true to your values, if you stay true to your principles, if you believe in these values, then you can work in that context to right policies that may not be working. — Condoleezza Rice

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I believe that while race-neutral means are preferable, it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student body. — Condoleezza Rice

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We need a common enemy to unite us. — Condoleezza Rice

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I would even say that my parents, and their friends in our community, thought of education as a kind of armor against racism. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 600819

We have had some bad incidents and there continue to be allegations of others which will be investigated; but overwhelmingly American forces there, putting their lives on the line every day, protecting Iraqis, helping to liberate them, that is appreciated by the Iraqi people and by the Prime Minister. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 364949

To see an African-American elected president means that this country is really finally coming full circle from the birth defect of slavery. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1408798

When I went off to college, I was expecting to be a concert musician. In music school I heard all of these kids who were just unbelievable. And I understand that you can be very, very good, but there's something that separates very, very good from great, and I knew that I wasn't great. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1190367

But the truth of the matter is, we're an open society, we want to remain an open society, and there will continue to be vulnerability. That's why we have to meet the threats when they are not yet taking place on our territory and on our soil. — Condoleezza Rice

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The pursuit by the Iranian regime of nuclear weapons represents a direct threat to the entire international community, including to the United States and to the Persian Gulf region. — Condoleezza Rice

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After all, when the world looks to America, they look to us because we are the most successful political and economic experiment in human history. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1997358

We know that there are unaccounted-for Scud and other ballistic missiles in Iraq. And part of the problem is that, since 1998, there has been no way to even get minimal information about those programs except through intelligence means. — Condoleezza Rice

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Most of the people who were responsible for 9/11 are now in custody or have been killed. But there are others, and they plot and they plan, and they hope to pull it off again. And while we have to be right 100 percent of the time, they only have to be right once. So there's no way to overreact to that. — Condoleezza Rice

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Truly remarkable leadership is not just about motivating others to follow, it's about inspiring them to become leaders themselves and setting the stage for even greater opportunities for future generations. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1359368

Oh, indeed there is a tie between Iraq and what happened on 9/11. It's not that Saddam Hussein was somehow himself and his regime involved in 9/11, but, if you think about what caused 9/11, it is the rise of ideologies of hatred that lead people to drive airplanes into buildings in New York. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1589288

Believe it or not, I loved acid rock in college - and I still do. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1572420

I studied piano from the age of three. My grandmother taught piano. I stayed at her house during the day while my parents worked. I obviously wanted to learn to play. And so she asked if she could teach me, and my mother said don't you think she's too young. My grandmother apparently said no. So I could read music before I could read, and I really don't remember learning to read music. So for me it's like a native language. When I look at a sheet of music, it just makes sense. — Condoleezza Rice

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When people see the terrible scenes of violence on television, when we mourn the death of each and every American man and woman in uniform or a civilian that's killed, that it's hard to see the progress that's being made and it's hard to believe that this is all going to come out for the better. — Condoleezza Rice

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I'm a strong believer that you have to have an equal opportunity to fail and to try things that are hard. I always tell my students, "Don't just take things that are easy for you. If you're really good at math, don't take just math. Take classes that make you write. If you're a really great writer, but bad at math, take math and make yourself work your way through it." — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1519377

Now, al Qaeda's on the run. Afghanistan is no longer a base of operations. The Afghan government is a friendly government that is trying to bring democracy to its people. — Condoleezza Rice

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I know that people look at my life and ask, "How can I achieve some of those things?" So, I suppose in that sense, yes, I'm a role model. But I try to think of myself more as a mentor, as somebody who I hope young people feel comfortable approaching or writing to. — Condoleezza Rice

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The day has to come when it's not a surprise that a woman has a powerful position. — Condoleezza Rice

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This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia, where Russia can threaten its neighbors, occupy a capital, overthrow a government, and get away with it. Things have changed. — Condoleezza Rice

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Differences can be a strength. — Condoleezza Rice

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I don't believe for a minute anybody allowed people to suffer because they are African Americans, Nobody, especially the president, would have left people unattended on the basis of race. — Condoleezza Rice

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[In] the United States, we've always been held together by the belief that it doesn't matter where you came from. It matters where you're going. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 81799

Race is a constant factor in American life. Yet reacting to every incident,real or imagined, is crippling, tiring, and ultimately counterproductive. — Condoleezza Rice

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I may not agree with everything, but our President, just like President [George W.] Bush did, is trying to do his best under difficult circumstances. — Condoleezza Rice

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There is nothing better than being in a classroom with really, really brilliant students, and opening up new worlds to them. That's what I love doing. — Condoleezza Rice

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It's so much a part of me that it's almost hard to describe myself in the absence of [faith]. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 2119205

The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons. But we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud. — Condoleezza Rice

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There are some places that have had real quarrels with the United States' policies, but I think the country is very well-respected worldwide. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 2079604

But, clearly, the prime minister has laid down some ground rules which any functioning democratic state would insist upon, having to do with, you know, arms belonging to the state, not to
not in private hands. The current circumstances come out of what I think is a very important and indeed appropriate action that the Iraqi government has taken. — Condoleezza Rice

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What the United States has done is to be open to people who are fleeing tyranny, who are fleeing danger, but we have done it in a very careful way that has worked for us. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 2005330

When you have big historic changes, there are going to be ups and downs ... There are going to be peaks and valleys. Some things are going to go right. Some things are going to go wrong. But as long as the strategic direction is going in the right way, that's really what you have to judge. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1998493

Democracy is the most realistic way for diverse peoples to resolve their differences, and share power, and heal social divisions without violence or repression. — Condoleezza Rice

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I am very fond of Jeb Bush. He's a friend; he was a terrific governor of Florida. I worked with him on some immigration and education issues. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1951895

The people of the Middle East share the desire for freedom. We have an opportunity - and an obligation - to help them turn this desire into reality. — Condoleezza Rice

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I was very proud and grateful to be the first African-American woman in the position. I thought it said a lot about our country that we had back-to-back African-American Secretaries of State, Colin Powell and then me. I also thought it said a lot about President Bush that he didn't see limits on the highest ranking diplomat in terms of color. It's a hard job, but really the best one in government. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1921603

Our policies toward Iraq simply are to protect the region and to protect Iraq's people and neighbors. — Condoleezza Rice

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The Iranian people have a proud past. They merit a great future. — Condoleezza Rice

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I laugh almost everyday. I have a good sense of humor, so I'm always finding something funny. — Condoleezza Rice

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I'm not personally fearful, but I look out, and there are a number of things that concern me, and I'm hopeful that we can overcome them. — Condoleezza Rice

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I've always said that I expected to grow up and get married like any nice southern girl, but the fact is you don't get married in the abstract. You find someone that you'd like to be married to. — Condoleezza Rice

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I'm very proud that President [George W.] Bush took on AIDS relief. It was the largest single response by any country to a major international health crisis, and there are millions of people who are alive today in Africa and other developing countries because of that program. — Condoleezza Rice

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I firmly believe you never should spend your time being the former anything. — Condoleezza Rice

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As Americans we like to believe that we're loved in international politics or that people like what we're doing. But we also recognize that we have an extraordinary responsibility to do what we think is right, and that sometimes what we do is not very popular. — Condoleezza Rice

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There is not going to be any pass for Palestinian leadership in fighting terror. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 635530

The first Republican I knew was my father and he is still the Republican I most admire. He joined our party because the Democrats in Jim Crow Alabama of 1952 would not register him to vote. The Republicans did. My father has never forgotten that day, and neither have I. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 580165

What the United States has done hasn't always been liked or popular. But if you look at some of the most populous places in the world - China, India - the United States is not only respected but, in fact, popular. — Condoleezza Rice

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If you are overdressed, it is a comment on them. If you are under dressed, it is a comment on you. — Condoleezza Rice

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I don't think anybody could have predicted that they would try to use an airplane as a missile, a hijacked airplane as a missile. — Condoleezza Rice

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We will continue to work together in our common fight against terror. — Condoleezza Rice

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People have the right to protest - that's what democracy is all about. I have no problem with people exercising their democratic rights. — Condoleezza Rice

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You know, I've never believed, in anything, that you had to have role models who looked like you to do something. If I'd been waiting for a black, female, soviet specialist role model, I'd be still waiting. — Condoleezza Rice

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Success is not assured, but America is resolute: this is the best chance for peace we are likely to see for some years to come - and we are acting to help Israelis and Palestinians seize this chance. — Condoleezza Rice

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I believe in having a private life. — Condoleezza Rice

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Iran can and should be a responsible state, not the leading state sponsor of terror. — Condoleezza Rice

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It is high time that the international community tell Saddam Hussein and his regime that this is not an issue of negotiation with the U.N. about obligations that they undertook in 1991. — Condoleezza Rice

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Out of struggle very often comes victory. — Condoleezza Rice

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Prejudice and bigotry are brought down ... by the sheer force of determination of individuals to succeed and the refusal of a human being to let prejudice define the parameters of the possible. — Condoleezza Rice

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I'm very proud that we stood for the proposition that no man, woman or child should ever have to live in tyranny. We believed in democracy and promoted it. — Condoleezza Rice

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Spirituality and faith are at the core of who I am. I was born to deeply religious parents who were able to give me that rock solid foundation in the church and in my faith which really has served me so well. — Condoleezza Rice

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Well, I didn't feel that I could do justice to this story of my parents and their generation, and all that they did to make it possible for me to be who I am, if I sort of just put it at the beginning of a book about my last eight years in foreign policy. — Condoleezza Rice

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We can have a new vision, one even greater than the system they gave us after World War II. Everyone can pursue happiness and freedom and peace. — Condoleezza Rice

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Once a month I play with a chamber music quartet. I play almost no solo music anymore because I so enjoy the interaction. The members of my quartet have become some of my best friends and so I really enjoy it now in ways that I didn't before. — Condoleezza Rice

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I'm a very happy university professor ... the best thing about being a university professor is that you see young people as they're being shaped and molded toward their own future, and you have a chance to be a part of that. — Condoleezza Rice

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It's good to have female or minority role models. But the important thing is to have mentors who care about you, and they come in all colors. — Condoleezza Rice

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There clearly are contacts between al Qaeda and Iraq that can be documented; there clearly is testimony that some of the contacts have been important contacts and that there's a relationship here — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1173944

To say that people around the world deserve the same, the same life that we have in the United States, the same freedoms that we have, that seems to me, humble. I think it's humble to say that the United States, which has been given so much, should give back. — Condoleezza Rice

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I've been an athlete all my life. I was a competitive figure skater, and then when I realized skating was not an adult sport I took up tennis and played that quite seriously from the time I was about 18. — Condoleezza Rice

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History's long arc is different than the today's headlines. — Condoleezza Rice

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I think Americans are not guilty for 9/11; I think President Bush is not guilty for 9/11. — Condoleezza Rice

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I do think people have suggested that it would be a good thing if the reporting were accurate on Al-Jazeera and if it were not slanted in ways that appear to be at times just purely inaccurate. — Condoleezza Rice

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We will have to stand up for and promote the power and promise of free markets and free peoples, and affirm that American preeminence safeguards rather than impedes global progress. — Condoleezza Rice

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I have several [favorite clothes designers], but I like to wear Akris, Oscar De La Renta and Giorgio Armani. — Condoleezza Rice

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You never cede control of your own ability to be successful to something called racism. — Condoleezza Rice

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The U.S. has since the end of World War II had an answer - we stand for free peoples and free markets, we are willing to support and defend them - we will sustain a balance of power that favors freedom. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 1274588

When are we going to stop making excuses for the terrorists and saying that somebody is making them do it? No, these are simply evil people who want to kill. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 805548

If I'd been a better long-term planner, I'd still be in music, as a musician someplace. So I'll take it one step at a time. — Condoleezza Rice

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I talked about the need for American leadership, I talked about the importance of the United States to a more peaceful world, a world that has been quite turbulent in recent years, and needs a strong American anchor. — Condoleezza Rice

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My dad was not someone who you would strike with a billy club and he wouldn't strike back. It just wasn't in him. — Condoleezza Rice

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I will never forget the bright September day, standing at my desk in the White House, when my young assistant said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center - and then a second one - and a third, the Pentagon. — Condoleezza Rice

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I've been in enough positions to respect people with different views. — Condoleezza Rice

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I've speculated about what my life might have been like as a musician, but I'm afraid I came to the conclusion that I probably would've either been teaching piano or maybe gotten to play at Nordstrom's department store. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 679250

If I wrote a book, I had to be willing at least to talk about some of my struggles, whether in my personal life, health crises, or the deaths of my parents, because there can too easily be a perception of me that my life just went from A to Z uninterrupted, without any ups and downs, and that's not a fair representation. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 668250

When you're in government, of course, you have protection and you have people who are looking out for your wellbeing, but you can't live in a state of fear. If you do, you're not going to do your job very well and you're going to give yourself high blood pressure, which probably isn't worth it. — Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice Quotes 659975

I'm a huge proponent of exchanges, student exchanges, cultural exchanges, university exchanges. We talk a lot about public diplomacy, .. It's extremely important that we get our message out, but it's also the case that we should not have a monologue with other people. It has to be a conversation, and you can't do that without exchanges and openness. — Condoleezza Rice