No more distressing moment can ever face a British government than that which requires it to come to a hard, fast and specific decision.
Barbara TuchmanThe fact of being reported increases the apparent extent of a deplorable development by a factor of ten.
Barbara TuchmanWooden-headedness, the source of self-deception, is a factor that plays a remarkably large role in government. It consists in assessing a situation in terms of preconceived fixed notions while ignoring or rejecting any contrary signs. It is acting according to wish while not allowing oneself to be deflected by the facts.
Barbara Tuchman