Dalai Lama Quotes

I'm not one of the people who have to be in public office.

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.

I don't care tuppence whether I'm forced into a leadership position or not. I'd much sooner not.

Ambition, in a private man is a vice, is in a prince the virtue.

Public officers are the trustees of the people.

You must be a power on earth, and must therefore accept all the consequences of this position

I do not feel that I have any duty to seek a political nomination, in spite of the fact that many have urged to the contrary. Because of this belief I shall not do so.

I'm humbled by the honor that President Clinton has done me in nominatinq me as Attorney General of the United States, and I'm going to do my very best to deserve his confidence.

People elect me to make sure the chief of police is the right chief of police. They elect me to make sure I have the right person running the airport.

Being President is a little like being the grounds-keeper at a cemetery: there's plenty of people below you but no one's listening.

A councilor ought not to sleep the whole night through, a man to whom the populace is entrusted, and who has many responsibilities.

A man made for public life and authority never takes account of personalities; he only takes account of things, of their weight and their conseqences.

Public business must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise man decline, others will not; if honest man refuse it, others will not.

Nobody wants me as a Cabinet Minister and they are perfectly right. I am an agitator, not an administrator.

I'm not going to just take office in January, I'm going to take responsibility.

I happen to respect people who are willing to come under public scrutiny and serve their country.

Be known for pleasing others, especially if you govern them. Ruling other has one advantage: you can do more good than anyone else.

I am always on duty, even when I am at party events or on vacation. I don't complain about it, on the contrary. Time management for candidates without government functions is different than it is for me. No matter where I am, I always have to have my duties as chancellor in mind.

If you want to be a leader, go lead

If you don't want responsibility, don't sit in the big chair. To be successful, you must accept full responsibility

I would never run for president.

I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute the functions of its Chief Magistrate.

The man assumed office almost four years ago - isn't it about time he assumed responsibility?

I am not asking for 60 months to sit and enjoy power, but to be the Chowkidaar of the country.

Anybody who is in a position to serve this country ought to understand the consequences of words.