If I know the answer I'll tell you the answer, and if I don't I'll just respond cleverly.

Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems.

There's no debate in the world as to whether people have weapons of mass destruction... We all know that. A trained ape knows that.

Plan backwards as well as forward. Set objectives and trace back to see how to achieve them. You may find that no path can get you there. Plan forward to see where your steps will take you, which may not be clear or intuitive.

The United States, as all you know, did not come to Iraq for oil, not to occupy. We came here only to help.

When it comes to reconstruction, before we turn to the American taxpayer, we will turn first to the resources of the Iraqi government and the international community.

Have a deputy and develop a successor. Don't be consumed by the job or you'll risk losing your balance. Keep your mooring lines to the outside world - family, friends, neighbors, people out of government, and people who may not agree with you.