If you are going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy. God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won't.

When the men in Russia foul up, they are dismisses, sometimes losing their necks. But we protect those who fail and press them to the government bosom.

The man in charge must concern himself with details. If he does not consider them important, neither will his subordinates.

Act as if you are going to live for ever and cast your plans way ahead. You must feel responsible without time limitations, and the consideration of whether you may or may not be around to see the results should never enter your thoughts.

To doubt one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man. Don't defend past actions; what is right today may be wrong tomorrow. Don't be consistent; consistency is the refuge of fools.

Optimism and stupidity are nearly synonymous.

Trying to make things work in government is sometimes like trying to sew a button on a custard pie.