For somebody who loves foreign policy, being Secretary is the best job in the world - but it doesn't happen twice.

No matter what message you are about to deliver somewhere, whether it is holding out a hand of friendship, or making clear that you disapprove of something, is the fact that the person sitting across the table is a human being, so the goal is to always establish common ground.

The cover-up, more than the initial wrongdoing, is what is most likely to bring you down.

In diplomacy, clear-cut wins and losses are rare.

It's important that we invest in America - literally. The terrorists wanted to destroy our economy, and we can't let our system fall apart. We also have to invest in one another.

Most of the time I spend when I get up in the morning is trying to figure out what is going to happen.

Embrace the faith that every challenge surmounted by your energy; every problem solved by your wisdom; every soul stirred by your passion; and every barrier to justice brought down by your determination will ennoble your life, inspire others, serve your country, and explode outward the boundaries of what is achievable on this earth.