Colin Powell Quotes

I don't like compromise. In politics, you have to always choose a compromise, and sometimes, that, I don't like.

There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles.

My thing is to execute the given play, execute the game plan to the best of my ability. If the option is for me to make a play when I have to, I will. Or I'll put myself in the best situation to do so.

Plans are nothing; planning is everything.

I do not believe in a political strategy that does not have a moral foundation.

The hardest thing in life is to know when to hold fast to one’s principles and when it is acceptable to bend them.

An ideologue believes that what is right will work. A pragmatist believes that what works is right.

First of all, you've got to have a vision of 'What kind of program do I want to have?' Then you've got to have a plan to implement it. Then you've got to set the example that you want, develop the principles and values that are important, and get people to buy into it.

One of my skills is knowing, 'This is where I'm needed, and this is how I'm needed and where I'm going to be in control and where I'm going to cede control and why.'

You can't say, 'You're a scorer, you score. You rebound, you rebound.' Basketball is more than that. Basketball is knowing the next step, knowing the next play, knowing how to make things happen.

The art of leadership is a serious matter. One must not lag behind a movement, because to do so is to become isolated from the masses. But one must not rush ahead, for to rush ahead is to lose contact with the masses. He who wished to lead a movement must conduct a fight on two fronts--against those who lag behind and those who rush ahead.

The foundation of leadership is your own moral compass. I think the best quality leaders really know where their moral compass is. They get it out when they are making decisions. It's their guide. But not only do you have to have a moral compass and take it out of your pocket, it has to have a true north.

Principles are what allow you to live a life consistent with those values. Principles connect your values to your actions.

One must place one's principles in big things. For the small, graciousness will suffice.

What does he stand for?

Leadership is about having principles. A leader must have a vision and principles that will endure for all time and must always be true to these principles, applying them to changing circumstances

Leadership consists of character and strategy. If you can't have both, opt for character.

Great leaders must be able to realize when something isn’t working-no matter how hard they’ve worked to make it succeed.

Be flexible, but stick to your principles.

A leader is a man who can adapt principles to circumstances.

The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.

Leaving the game plan is a sign of panic, and panic is not in our game plan.

We didn't discover our values in a poll taken a week before the convention.

I have very set and consistent principles, but I am flexible on tactics. I like to get the job done.