Quotes

“Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it.” Colin Powell

“Many interviewers when they come to talk to me, think they're being progressive by not mentioning in their stories any longer that I'm black. I tell them, 'Don't stop now. If I shot somebody you'd mention it.'” Colin Powell

“Don't bother people for help without first trying to solve the problem yourself.” Colin Powell

“The chief condition on which, life, health and vigor depend on, is action. It is by action that an organism develops its faculties, increases its energy, and attains the fulfillment of its destiny.” Colin Powell

“Bad news isn't wine. It doesn't improve with age.” Colin Powell

“Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team's mission.” Colin Powell

“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.” Colin Powell

“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.” Colin Powell

“You don't know what you can get away with until you try.” Colin Powell

“Giving back involves a certain amount of giving up.” Colin Powell

“It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.” Colin Powell

“It isn't enough just to scream at the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations. We need our political system to start reflect this anger back into, 'How do we fix it? How do we get the economy going again?'” Colin Powell

“90 percent of my time is spent on 10 percent of the world.” Colin Powell

“Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.” Colin Powell

“Don't be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard.” Colin Powell

“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” Colin Powell

“In other words, don't expect to always be great. Disappointments, failures and setbacks are a normal part of the lifecycle of a unit or a company and what the leader has to do is constantly be up and say 'we have a problem, let's go and get it'.” Colin Powell

“The only bipartisanship you ever see is when they finally sign a bill and everybody says, 'Gee, isn't that wonderful?'” Colin Powell

“I was born in Harlem, raised in the South Bronx, went to public school, got out of public college, went into the Army, and then I just stuck with it.” Colin Powell

“It's not just a matter of whether you support Obama or Romney. It's who they have coming with them. I always keep my powder dry, as they say in the military.” Colin Powell

“We need to understand that we as citizens and as a government in any community throughout this country have no more important obligation than to educate those who are going to replace us.” Colin Powell

“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.” Colin Powell

“The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort.” Colin Powell

“The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise.” Colin Powell

“The United States is not stingy. We are the greatest contributor to international relief efforts in the world.” Colin Powell

“War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support.” Colin Powell

“Wouldn't it be great if we could look forward to a whole world in which no child will be left behind?” Colin Powell

“Experts often possess more data than judgment.” Colin Powell

“If a leader doesn't convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they'll start to fall down and get depressed.” Colin Powell

“It's nice to say let's be bipartisan. But we're a partisan nation. We were raised as a partisan nation.” Colin Powell