21 Quotes & Sayings By Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice is the fifth highest-ranking official in the United States government. She served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State from 2005-2009. Prior to becoming Secretary of State, she served as National Security Advisor during President George W Read more

Bush's administration. She had previously served on the faculty of the Stanford University School of International Relations and on the Stanford University Board of Trustees. Dr.

Rice's undergraduate degree is from Mills College, her M.A. is from Stanford University, her Ph.D. is from Harvard University, and she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa there as well.

She was an assistant professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of International Studies for two years, has taught at both Stanford University School of International Studies and at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, where she was a fellow at the Nitze School in 1989–1990 while researching her dissertation on international relations theory in China and Japan in relation to Asian security issues during the Cold War era, entitled "Shifting Grounds: China's Foreign Policy Revisited." Dr. Rice was invited by then UCLA Chancellor Charles Easley to serve as visiting professor in 1987–1988 and then became chairwoman of that department in 1991–1992.

She joined Chevron Corporation's Advisory Board in 1991 and served until 1993 when she joined the National Security Council staff as Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs (1993–1994). After leaving government service in 1994, Dr. Rice formed her own consulting firm which she continues today through RiceHadleyGates & Partners (RHGP).

1
Power is nothing unless you can turn it into influence. Condoleezza Rice
2
For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region, here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither. Condoleezza Rice
3
People may oppose you, but when they realize you can hurt them, they'll join your side. Condoleezza Rice
4
The essence of America — that which really unites us – is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion — it is an idea – and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn’t matter where you came from but where you are going. Condoleezza Rice
5
Foreign policy simply cannot be judged by today's headlines that chalk up victories and defeats like so many box scores in the sports sections. Condoleezza Rice
6
My mom was a teacher - I have the greatest respect for the profession - we need great teachers - not poor or mediocre ones. Condoleezza Rice
7
Some governments choose to cooperate with the United States in intelligence, law enforcement, or military matters. The co-operation is a two-way street. We share intelligence that has helped protect European countries from attack, helping save European lives. Condoleezza Rice
8
We know that there are unaccounted-for Scud and other ballistic missiles in Iraq. And part of the problem is that, since 1998, there has been no way to even get minimal information about those programs except through intelligence means. Condoleezza Rice
9
The essence of America - that which really unites us - is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion - it is an idea - and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. Condoleezza Rice
10
After all, when the world looks to America, they look to us because we are the most successful political and economic experiment in human history. Condoleezza Rice
11
There are those who would draw a sharp line between power politics and a principled foreign policy based on values. This polarized view - you are either a realist or devoted to norms and values - may be just fine in academic debate, but it is a disaster for American foreign policy. American values are universal. Condoleezza Rice
12
Success is not assured, but America is resolute: this is the best chance for peace we are likely to see for some years to come - and we are acting to help Israelis and Palestinians seize this chance. Condoleezza Rice
13
I got the chance to be the secretary of state I'm an international relations specialist. It doesn't get better than that. Condoleezza Rice
14
We needed to go back on the offense and offer clear leadership on Iraq. Condoleezza Rice
15
I talked about the need for American leadership, I talked about the importance of the United States to a more peaceful world, a world that has been quite turbulent in recent years, and needs a strong American anchor. Condoleezza Rice
16
One thing that education can do is it can provide us with an opportunity to understand one another better, and so while I've spent a lot of my time in the world of politics, I've always felt that it is really not politics that will solve this for us. Condoleezza Rice
17
I didn't run for student council president. I don't see myself in any way in elected office. I love policy. I'm not particularly fond of politics. Condoleezza Rice
18
I would even say that my parents, and their friends in our community, thought of education as a kind of armor against racism. Condoleezza Rice
19
When you're doing collaborative music, the relationship that forms is a very bonding kind of experience. Condoleezza Rice
20
The people of the Middle East share the desire for freedom. We have an opportunity - and an obligation - to help them turn this desire into reality. Condoleezza Rice