The ability to be cool, confident, and decisive in crisis is not an inherited characteristic but is the direct result of how well the individual has prepared himself for the battle.

The greatness comes not when things go always good for you. But the greatness comes when you're really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Because only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

The mark of a true politician is that he is never at a loss for words because he is always half-expecting to be asked to make a speech.

In his heart everyone knows that the only people who get rich from the "get rich quick" books are those who write them.

Politics would be a helluva good business if it weren't for the goddamned people.

A riot is a spontaneous outburst. A war is subject to advance planning.

I reject the cynical view that politics is a dirty business.