Colin Powell Quotes And Sayings

Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. Powell was born in Harlem as the son of Jamaican immigrants. Powell was the first, and so far the only, African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under U.S. President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, the first African American to serve in that position.

A Dream Doesn't Become Reality Through Magic; It Takes Sweat, Determination And Hard Work.

Colin Powell Quotes (1) - A Dream Doesn't Become Reality Through ... - QuotesA Dream Doesn't Become Reality Through Magic; It Takes Sweat, Determination And Hard Work.

Colin Powell Quotes (1) - A Dream Doesn't Become Reality Through ... - Quotes

We All Hoped In 2001 That We Could Put In Place An Afghan Government Under President Karzai That Would Be Able To Control The Country, Make Sure Al-qaeda Didn't Come Back, And Make Sure The Taliban Wasn't Resurging. It Didn't Work Out.

Colin Powell Quotes (11) - We All Hoped In 2001 That We Could Put... - QuotesWe All Hoped In 2001 That We Could Put In Place An Afghan Government Under President Karzai That Would Be Able To Control The Country, Make Sure Al-qaeda Didn't Come Back, And Make Sure The Taliban Wasn't Resurging. It Didn't Work Out.

Colin Powell Quotes (11) - We All Hoped In 2001 That We Could Put... - Quotes

Don't Let Your Ego Get Too Close To Your Position, So That If Your Position Gets Shot Down, Your Ego Doesn't Go With It.

Colin Powell Quotes (10) - Don't Let Your Ego Get Too Close To Yo... - QuotesDon't Let Your Ego Get Too Close To Your Position, So That If Your Position Gets Shot Down, Your Ego Doesn't Go With It.

Colin Powell Quotes (10) - Don't Let Your Ego Get Too Close To Yo... - Quotes

It Ain't As Bad As You Think. It Will Look Better In The Morning.

Colin Powell Quotes (14) - It Ain't As Bad As You Think. It Will ... - QuotesIt Ain't As Bad As You Think. It Will Look Better In The Morning.

Colin Powell Quotes (14) - It Ain't As Bad As You Think. It Will ... - Quotes

Experts Often Possess More Data Than Judgment.

Colin Powell Quotes (13) - Experts Often Possess More Data Than J... - QuotesExperts Often Possess More Data Than Judgment.

Colin Powell Quotes (13) - Experts Often Possess More Data Than J... - Quotes

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 Quotes (12) - The Chief Condition On Which, Life, He... - QuotesThe 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 Quotes (12) - The Chief Condition On Which, Life, He... - Quotes

No Battle Plan Survives Contact With The Enemy.

Colin Powell Quotes (15) - No Battle Plan Survives Contact With T... - QuotesNo Battle Plan Survives Contact With The Enemy.

Colin Powell Quotes (15) - No Battle Plan Survives Contact With T... - Quotes

Fit No Stereotypes. Don't Chase The Latest Management Fads. The Situation Dictates Which Approach Best Accomplishes The Team's Mission.

Colin Powell Quotes (16) - Fit No Stereotypes. Don't Chase The La... - QuotesFit No Stereotypes. Don't Chase The Latest Management Fads. The Situation Dictates Which Approach Best Accomplishes The Team's Mission.

Colin Powell Quotes (16) - Fit No Stereotypes. Don't Chase The La... - Quotes

We Got Rid Of A Terrible Dictator. We Gave The Iraqi People An Opportunity For A New Life Under A Representative Form Of Government.

Colin Powell Quotes (17) - We Got Rid Of A Terrible Dictator. We ... - QuotesWe Got Rid Of A Terrible Dictator. We Gave The Iraqi People An Opportunity For A New Life Under A Representative Form Of Government.

Colin Powell Quotes (17) - We Got Rid Of A Terrible Dictator. We ... - Quotes

Politics Is Not Bean Bags. It's Serious, Tough Stuff.

Colin Powell Quotes (18) - Politics Is Not Bean Bags. It's Seriou... - QuotesPolitics Is Not Bean Bags. It's Serious, Tough Stuff.

Colin Powell Quotes (18) - Politics Is Not Bean Bags. It's Seriou... - Quotes

Success Is The Result Of Perfection, Hard Work, Learning From Failure, Loyalty, And Persistence.

Colin Powell Quotes (2) - Success Is The Result Of Perfection, Ha... - QuotesSuccess Is The Result Of Perfection, Hard Work, Learning From Failure, Loyalty, And Persistence.

Colin Powell Quotes (2) - Success Is The Result Of Perfection, Ha... - Quotes

When You Decide To Get Involved In A Military Operation In A Place Like Syria, You've Got To Be Prepared, As We Learned From Iraq And Afghanistan, To Become The Government, And I'm Not Sure Any Country, Either The United States Or I Don't Hear Of Anyone Else, Who's Willing To Take On That Responsibility.

Colin Powell Quotes (19) - When You Decide To Get Involved In A M... - QuotesWhen You Decide To Get Involved In A Military Operation In A Place Like Syria, You've Got To Be Prepared, As We Learned From Iraq And Afghanistan, To Become The Government, And I'm Not Sure Any Country, Either The United States Or I Don't Hear Of Anyone Else, Who's Willing To Take On That Responsibility.

Colin Powell Quotes (19) - When You Decide To Get Involved In A M... - Quotes

I Think Whether You're Having Setbacks Or Not, The Role Of A Leader Is To Always Display A Winning Attitude.

Colin Powell Quotes (20) - I Think Whether You're Having Setbacks... - QuotesI Think Whether You're Having Setbacks Or Not, The Role Of A Leader Is To Always Display A Winning Attitude.

Colin Powell Quotes (20) - I Think Whether You're Having Setbacks... - Quotes

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 Quotes (21) - I Was Born In Harlem, Raised In The So... - QuotesI 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 Quotes (21) - I Was Born In Harlem, Raised In The So... - Quotes

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 Quotes (23) - Many Interviewers When They Come To Ta... - QuotesMany 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 Quotes (23) - Many Interviewers When They Come To Ta... - Quotes

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 Quotes (25) - Have Fun In Your Command. Don't Always... - QuotesHave 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 Quotes (25) - Have Fun In Your Command. Don't Always... - Quotes

The Commander In The Field Is Always Right And The Rear Echelon Is Wrong, Unless Proved Otherwise.

Colin Powell Quotes (24) - The Commander In The Field Is Always R... - QuotesThe Commander In The Field Is Always Right And The Rear Echelon Is Wrong, Unless Proved Otherwise.

Colin Powell Quotes (24) - The Commander In The Field Is Always R... - Quotes

But Just As They Did In Philadelphia When They Were Writing The Constitution, Sooner Or Later, You've Got To Compromise. You've Got To Start Making The Compromises That Arrive At A Consensus And Move The Country Forward.

Colin Powell Quotes (26) - But Just As They Did In Philadelphia W... - QuotesBut Just As They Did In Philadelphia When They Were Writing The Constitution, Sooner Or Later, You've Got To Compromise. You've Got To Start Making The Compromises That Arrive At A Consensus And Move The Country Forward.

Colin Powell Quotes (26) - But Just As They Did In Philadelphia W... - Quotes

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 Quotes (28) - My Own Experience Is Use The Tools Tha... - QuotesMy 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 Quotes (28) - My Own Experience Is Use The Tools Tha... - Quotes

Some Of The Generals Are Saying, 'We're Making Progress. We Are Clearing An Area.' But You Really Don't Defeat The Taliban By Clearing An Area. They Move.

Colin Powell Quotes (27) - Some Of The Generals Are Saying, 'We'r... - QuotesSome Of The Generals Are Saying, 'We're Making Progress. We Are Clearing An Area.' But You Really Don't Defeat The Taliban By Clearing An Area. They Move.

Colin Powell Quotes (27) - Some Of The Generals Are Saying, 'We'r... - Quotes

There Are No Secrets To Success. It Is The Result Of Preparation, Hard Work, And Learning From Failure.

Colin Powell Quotes (3) - There Are No Secrets To Success. It Is ... - QuotesThere Are No Secrets To Success. It Is The Result Of Preparation, Hard Work, And Learning From Failure.

Colin Powell Quotes (3) - There Are No Secrets To Success. It Is ... - Quotes

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 Quotes (29) - In Other Words, Don't Expect To Always... - QuotesIn 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 Quotes (29) - In Other Words, Don't Expect To Always... - Quotes

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 Quotes (30) - If A Leader Doesn't Convey Passion And... - QuotesIf 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 Quotes (30) - If A Leader Doesn't Convey Passion And... - Quotes

Giving Back Involves A Certain Amount Of Giving Up.

Colin Powell Quotes (31) - Giving Back Involves A Certain Amount ... - QuotesGiving Back Involves A Certain Amount Of Giving Up.

Colin Powell Quotes (31) - Giving Back Involves A Certain Amount ... - Quotes

The Healthiest Competition Occurs When Average People Win By Putting Above Average Effort.

Colin Powell Quotes (32) - The Healthiest Competition Occurs When... - QuotesThe Healthiest Competition Occurs When Average People Win By Putting Above Average Effort.

Colin Powell Quotes (32) - The Healthiest Competition Occurs When... - Quotes

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 Quotes (33) - I Respect The Fact That Many Denominat... - QuotesI 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 Quotes (33) - I Respect The Fact That Many Denominat... - Quotes

You Should See What Our Founding Fathers Used To Say To Each Other And In The Early Part Of Our Nation. But What They Were Able To Do, Especially In Philadelphia In 1787, Four Months, They Argued About What A House Should Be, What A Senate Should Be, The Power Of The President, The Congress, The Supreme Court. And They Had To Deal With Slavery.

Colin Powell Quotes (34) - You Should See What Our Founding Fathe... - QuotesYou Should See What Our Founding Fathers Used To Say To Each Other And In The Early Part Of Our Nation. But What They Were Able To Do, Especially In Philadelphia In 1787, Four Months, They Argued About What A House Should Be, What A Senate Should Be, The Power Of The President, The Congress, The Supreme Court. And They Had To Deal With Slavery.

Colin Powell Quotes (34) - You Should See What Our Founding Fathe... - Quotes

You Don't Know What You Can Get Away With Until You Try.

Colin Powell Quotes (35) - You Don't Know What You Can Get Away W... - QuotesYou Don't Know What You Can Get Away With Until You Try.

Colin Powell Quotes (35) - You Don't Know What You Can Get Away W... - Quotes

In Terms Of The Legal Matter Of Creating A Contract Between Two People That's Called Marriage, And Allowing Them To Live Together With The Protection Of Law, It Seems To Me Is The Way We Should Be Moving In This Country.

Colin Powell Quotes (36) - In Terms Of The Legal Matter Of Creati... - QuotesIn Terms Of The Legal Matter Of Creating A Contract Between Two People That's Called Marriage, And Allowing Them To Live Together With The Protection Of Law, It Seems To Me Is The Way We Should Be Moving In This Country.

Colin Powell Quotes (36) - In Terms Of The Legal Matter Of Creati... - Quotes

Get Mad, Then Get Over It.

Colin Powell Quotes (37) - Get Mad, Then Get Over It.... - QuotesGet Mad, Then Get Over It.

Colin Powell Quotes (37) - Get Mad, Then Get Over It.... - Quotes

Bad News Isn't Wine. It Doesn't Improve With Age.

Colin Powell Quotes (38) - Bad News Isn't Wine. It Doesn't Improv... - QuotesBad News Isn't Wine. It Doesn't Improve With Age.

Colin Powell Quotes (38) - Bad News Isn't Wine. It Doesn't Improv... - Quotes

I Don't Want To Spend The Rest Of My Life Giving Speeches.

Colin Powell Quotes (39) - I Don't Want To Spend The Rest Of My L... - QuotesI Don't Want To Spend The Rest Of My Life Giving Speeches.

Colin Powell Quotes (39) - I Don't Want To Spend The Rest Of My L... - Quotes

Leadership Is Solving Problems. The Day Soldiers Stop Bringing You Their Problems Is The Day You Have Stopped Leading Them. They Have Either Lost Confidence That You Can Help Or Concluded You Do Not Care. Either Case Is A Failure Of Leadership.

Colin Powell Quotes (4) - Leadership Is Solving Problems. The Day... - QuotesLeadership Is Solving Problems. The Day Soldiers Stop Bringing You Their Problems Is The Day You Have Stopped Leading Them. They Have Either Lost Confidence That You Can Help Or Concluded You Do Not Care. Either Case Is A Failure Of Leadership.

Colin Powell Quotes (4) - Leadership Is Solving Problems. The Day... - Quotes

It's A Disgrace That We Have Millions Of People Who Are Uninsured.

Colin Powell Quotes (40) - It's A Disgrace That We Have Millions ... - QuotesIt's A Disgrace That We Have Millions Of People Who Are Uninsured.

Colin Powell Quotes (40) - It's A Disgrace That We Have Millions ... - Quotes

You Can't Just Have Slogans, You Can't Just Have Catchy Phrases. You Have To Have An Agenda. And I Think What The Republican Party Has To Do, If It's Going To Incorporate The Tea Party Efforts In It, Is To Come Up With An Agenda That The American People Can See, Touch, And Actually Believe In, And Something They Believe In.

Colin Powell Quotes (41) - You Can't Just Have Slogans, You Can't... - QuotesYou Can't Just Have Slogans, You Can't Just Have Catchy Phrases. You Have To Have An Agenda. And I Think What The Republican Party Has To Do, If It's Going To Incorporate The Tea Party Efforts In It, Is To Come Up With An Agenda That The American People Can See, Touch, And Actually Believe In, And Something They Believe In.

Colin Powell Quotes (41) - You Can't Just Have Slogans, You Can't... - Quotes

90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 Percent Of The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (43) - 90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 P... - Quotes90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 Percent Of The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (43) - 90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 P... - Quotes

90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 Percent Of The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (43) - 90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 P... - Quotes90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 Percent Of The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (43) - 90 Percent Of My Time Is Spent On 10 P... - Quotes

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 Quotes (42) - We Need To Understand That We As Citiz... - QuotesWe 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 Quotes (42) - We Need To Understand That We As Citiz... - Quotes

I Try To Be The Same Person I Was Yesterday.

Colin Powell Quotes (45) - I Try To Be The Same Person I Was Yest... - QuotesI Try To Be The Same Person I Was Yesterday.

Colin Powell Quotes (45) - I Try To Be The Same Person I Was Yest... - Quotes

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 Quotes (47) - War Should Be The Politics Of Last Res... - QuotesWar 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 Quotes (47) - War Should Be The Politics Of Last Res... - Quotes

Today I Can Declare My Hope And Declare It From The Bottom Of My Heart That We Will Eventually See The Time When That Number Of Nuclear Weapons Is Down To Zero And The World Is A Much Better Place.

Colin Powell Quotes (46) - Today I Can Declare My Hope And Declar... - QuotesToday I Can Declare My Hope And Declare It From The Bottom Of My Heart That We Will Eventually See The Time When That Number Of Nuclear Weapons Is Down To Zero And The World Is A Much Better Place.

Colin Powell Quotes (46) - Today I Can Declare My Hope And Declar... - Quotes

Organization Charts And Fancy Titles Count For Next To Nothing.

Colin Powell Quotes (48) - Organization Charts And Fancy Titles C... - QuotesOrganization Charts And Fancy Titles Count For Next To Nothing.

Colin Powell Quotes (48) - Organization Charts And Fancy Titles C... - Quotes

Don't Bother People For Help Without First Trying To Solve The Problem Yourself.

Colin Powell Quotes (49) - Don't Bother People For Help Without F... - QuotesDon't Bother People For Help Without First Trying To Solve The Problem Yourself.

Colin Powell Quotes (49) - Don't Bother People For Help Without F... - Quotes

Don't Bother People For Help Without First Trying To Solve The Problem Yourself.

Colin Powell Quotes (49) - Don't Bother People For Help Without F... - QuotesDon't Bother People For Help Without First Trying To Solve The Problem Yourself.

Colin Powell Quotes (49) - Don't Bother People For Help Without F... - Quotes

Never Let Your Ego Get So Close To Your Position That When Your Position Goes, Your Ego Goes With It.

Colin Powell Quotes (50) - Never Let Your Ego Get So Close To You... - QuotesNever Let Your Ego Get So Close To Your Position That When Your Position Goes, Your Ego Goes With It.

Colin Powell Quotes (50) - Never Let Your Ego Get So Close To You... - Quotes

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 Quotes (52) - It's Not Just A Matter Of Whether You ... - QuotesIt'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 Quotes (52) - It's Not Just A Matter Of Whether You ... - Quotes

I Always Like To Take My Time And Examine The Two Candidates, See Not Only The Two Candidates But The Policies They Will Bring In, The People They Will Bring In, Who They Might Appoint To The Supreme Court, And Look At The Whole Range Of Issues Before Making A Decision.

Colin Powell Quotes (51) - I Always Like To Take My Time And Exam... - QuotesI Always Like To Take My Time And Examine The Two Candidates, See Not Only The Two Candidates But The Policies They Will Bring In, The People They Will Bring In, Who They Might Appoint To The Supreme Court, And Look At The Whole Range Of Issues Before Making A Decision.

Colin Powell Quotes (51) - I Always Like To Take My Time And Exam... - Quotes

It's Nice To Say Let's Be Bipartisan. But We're A Partisan Nation. We Were Raised As A Partisan Nation.

Colin Powell Quotes (53) - It's Nice To Say Let's Be Bipartisan. ... - QuotesIt's Nice To Say Let's Be Bipartisan. But We're A Partisan Nation. We Were Raised As A Partisan Nation.

Colin Powell Quotes (53) - It's Nice To Say Let's Be Bipartisan. ... - Quotes

The United States Is Not Stingy. We Are The Greatest Contributor To International Relief Efforts In The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (54) - The United States Is Not Stingy. We Ar... - QuotesThe United States Is Not Stingy. We Are The Greatest Contributor To International Relief Efforts In The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (54) - The United States Is Not Stingy. We Ar... - Quotes

The United States Is Not Stingy. We Are The Greatest Contributor To International Relief Efforts In The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (54) - The United States Is Not Stingy. We Ar... - QuotesThe United States Is Not Stingy. We Are The Greatest Contributor To International Relief Efforts In The World.

Colin Powell Quotes (54) - The United States Is Not Stingy. We Ar... - Quotes