Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.

It is hard to put a price on some things. What is the value of having prevented nuclear weapons from getting into the hands of a dictator like Saddam Hussein - or of Gadhafi?

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the Department for the Commander-in-Chief and the country.

... something under $50 billion for the cost. How much of that would be the U.S. burden, and how much would be other countries, is an open question.

Never assume the other fellow will not do something you wouldn't do.

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

There are people who in large measure have information that we need . . . so that we can track down the weapons of mass destruction in that country.