George C. Marshall Quotes

There was no one at the table [of a Cabinet meeting] who could be of help to me except the President, and when I needed to consult him I did not choose a Cabinet meeting to do so.

Well, yes, I've fired a lot of people. Generally I like other people to fire, because it's always a lousy task. But I have fired many people.

I figure it's okay to make certain rules, whether or not people despise you for it at the time.

An executive is a person who always decides sometimes he decides correctly, but he always decides.

I have to give him and I have to have 100 percent of his confidence…. If I do not have his confidence, someone else should be chief of staff.

Being responsible, I will direct, and will be responsible for nothing that I do not direct.

Get a good team and do what you think is right.

I micromanage the selection of the cabinet.

Deliberation is the work of many men. Action of one alone.

The person who manages the state is me.

Nothing can be imagined better, or more perfect, than the administration of a virtuous man. Besides, when a single man is master, it is more difficult for the enemy to discover his secret counsels and resolutions. When the government is in the hands of many, it is impossible but enmity and hatred must arise among them; for, as every one desires his opinion to be followed, they gradually become mutual enemies

It is impossible for a Minister to please the many without displeasing the few

When the public or the Council pass the buck up to me I am going to act.

I can be President of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both.

You are on the ground. You see the needs of the situation, and I shall back up whatever you do.

You have to build a team, but someone's got to lead, and someone's got to be unpopular at times.

I'm very much a leader in a lot of the work that I do or that I've done in my career.

If you're a manager you can't get frustrated and be emotional. You have to continue to steer the ship, you can't let go of the wheel because who knows where it will go then.

To rule is easy, to govern difficult.

I had never been in charge of anything. I'd always worked for someone. I worked for a furniture warehouse. I did masonry. I always had a boss yelling at me. So I'd never been in charge of an organization.

All leaders share something in common. They feel they are the only ones who can do the job.

Gotta watch out for directors.

Being a leader doesn't mean you are the guy who runs things.

I remember being, like, the age of 7 and just always being in control of something or someone, a baby somewhere. I had lots of cousins and brothers, and we were all taught that's how you are, you know. Things don't just run themselves; you have to make them run.

A day may sink or save a realm.