Thomas Jefferson Quotes

I like people. That's me. I like people on the street, and I also happen to like other people who have power. But I'll go to a party and realise I haven't spoken to anybody who can do anything for me.

Connections and relationships are important everywhere, anywhere - of course in China, because the rule of law it is not as strong as in the West, so a lot would rely on personal relationships.

Take pains to get on your side the young men of high rank, and keep the friendship of those whom you already have. They will contribute much to your political position.

Once fraternities became tied to power and leadership, the powerful and would-be-leaders wanted to join.

Acquaintances represent a source of social power, and the more acquaintances you have the more powerful you are.

I can pretty much call anyone, whether at the White House, in a company or in the media. I have access, because of the silliness of the entertainment world and how people react to it. It gave me an enormous opportunity to do anything I really want to.

Early to bed and early to rise is a bad rule for anyone who wishes to become acquainted with our most prominent and influential people.

You should get as close to the power when you're pitching something. I got my two biggest breaks with the man who owned CBS and the guy that owned Paramount, because I was dealing with the guy who would say yes or no.

Power is not of a man. Wealth does not center in the person of the wealthy. Celebrity is not inherent in any personality. To be celebrated, to be wealthy, to have power requires access to major institutions.

Once your name becomes well known, politicians come courting.

I knew David Benioff a bit socially. I knew his wife, Amanda Peet. He's a smart guy, so I always sought him out at dinner parties.

Having been a head of state gives you the possibility of getting into places others can't go.

You need fans in high places, I always tell people. I don't care how talented you are.

My greatest value derived from the fact that I had access to almost everybody.

Parties in Washington are a natural extension of the working day.... Everybody uses everybody.

In politics, it’s not who you know that counts. It’s what you know about who you know that counts.

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

Influence inside depends on outside loyalty.

I'm not that interested in just being around powerful people for the sake of it.

I don't think you can get everything based on who you know, but you can't get anything until you do know the right people.

Give a boy address and accomplishments and you give him the mastery of palaces and fortunes where he goes.

There's a lot of 'who you know' in this business, and I don't think I skipped a step on the journey.

I started my career in Hollywood, where I learned the rumors were true - having success there really was dictated by how who you knew, not what you knew. I grew frustrated by the fact that careers could be made and broken by relationships alone.

We're in the business of influence. And if we're going to be in partnership with anybody, I want it to be with people who have amazing access and influence.

The old adage which says that it is ‘whom you know that counts’ is far off the mark. It is what you know about whom you know that truly makes difference.