“If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.”

One important element of leadership is taking care of the troops.

Don’t be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard.

I regret that the presentation I made at the UN turned out to be wrong. It was wrong on the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, but pretty much right on intentions and capabilities.

Always be looking for the opportunities, and always be optimistic about what you can do with that opportunity.

The essence of leadership is building bonds of trust in your organization.

Maybe we don’t put our young people in situations often enough where they’re allowed to fail. When you fail you gain experience, and with enough experience, you don’t fail as often.

Every organization should tolerate rebels who tell the emperor he has no clothes.

But just as they did in Philadelphia when they were writing the constitution, sooner or later, you’ve got to compromise. You’ve got to start making the compromises that arrive at a consensus and move the country forward.

The freedom to do your best means nothing unless you are willing to do your best.

You know you’re a good leader when people follow you out of curiosity.

Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.

The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow.

First you train the followers to accomplish the mission. Second, you resource them: Make sure that they have the tools to do the job. Third, you reward them: You give them medals or bonuses.

Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.

A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

It is good if your enemy underestimates you. The dumber they think you are the more surprised they are when you kill them.

We were dirt poor but we had each other. We didn’t need much to have a lot.

A good engineer gets stale very fast if he doesn’t keep his hands dirty.

He who wears unclean garments, has dirty teeth, is a glutton, speaks unkindly and sleeps after sunrise – although he may be the greatest personality – will lose the favour of Lakshmi.

He who wears unclean garments, has dirty teeth, is a glutton, speaks unkindly and sleeps after sunrise – although he may be the greatest personality – will lose the favour of Lakshmi.

Never fight with a pig. You will get dirty, and the pig will love it.”

Real leaders aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

Never throw mud: you can miss the target, but your hands will remain dirty.

You tossed me out like dirt but out of dirt roses grew and I have more thorns than petals.