Top quotes by Susan Rice

Well, Nigeria has played a constructive role in peacekeeping in various parts of West Africa. But unless and until Nigeria itself is democratic and respects human rights, it too may well be a source of much greater instability as political repression limits the ability of the people of Nigeria to achieve their full potential. Votes: 22

We've seen violent responses to 'Satanic Verses.' We've seen violent responses to the cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in an evil way. Votes: 22

For the United States to recommit itself to the obligation that we undertook in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that many other states undertook, which was to work towards disarmament and the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons, is something that manifestly serves our national security interests. Votes: 20

If we are to garner sustained U.S. domestic support for future trade agreements, we have to make sure those Americans who have suffered as a consequence of past agreements have an effective social safety net, adjustment assistance, opportunities for retraining and new job creation that enables all Americans to thrive. Votes: 19

There was a hateful video that was disseminated on the internet. It had nothing to do with the United States government and it's one that we find disgusting and reprehensible. It's been offensive to many, many people around the world. Votes: 14

The larger picture here is that a North Korea with nuclear weapons adds to the larger proliferation risk. Votes: 13

Progress is the product of human agency. Things get better because we make them better. Things go wrong when we get too comfortable, when we fail to take risks or seize opportunities. Votes: 11

Legislation that would withhold funding for the United Nations is fundamentally flawed in concept and practice, sets us back, is self-defeating, and doesn't work. Votes: 10

We must be honest in acknowledging that neither Germany nor the U.S. has the luxury of assuming that we can skate by on half-measures in Afghanistan and Pakistan and not risk suffering the consequences. Votes: 10

Bashar al-Assad and those who still stand by him are now responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000 in Syria. Votes: 10

Americans understand that our security is enhanced when the United States is trusted and respected in the world. Votes: 9

Progress is the product of human agency. Things get better because we make them better. Votes: 9

I have been to Libya and walked the streets of Benghazi myself. Votes: 9

The United States share of the African market it's very small, it's only about 8 percent. Votes: 9

One can't erase the tremendous burden of apartheid in 10 years, 20 years, I believe, even 30 years. Votes: 8

Iran's economy is now shrinking by 1 percent a year. Its oil production is down 40 percent. Votes: 8

As Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak have repeatedly said, the intelligence and security relationship between the United States and Israel at present is unprecedented. It has never been stronger. Votes: 7

Well, I think by any expectation South Africa has come a tremendously long way. We've seen a society that many people thought couldn't withstand a peaceful transition to democracy without a great deal of violence, in fact, make that transition and do it in relative peace and security. Votes: 7

I am a team player - and that is what you need to be an effective point guard. You gotta see the court, you gotta set up the play, and you gotta let others execute for the most part. I don't throw elbows for the sake of throwing elbows, but if somebody throws one at me and it's necessary to respond in kind, I suppose I can if I have to. Votes: 7

When my son was a mere three months old, I started working at the State Department. I was not only the youngest Assistant Secretary of State but I was also a breastfeeding mother. I'm the first to admit that this felt crazy at times, and the balancing act is never ever easy. But my two kids are the most wonderful things that have ever happened to me. Votes: 6

Our bottom line, if you want to call it a red line, president's bottom line has been that Iran will not acquire a nuclear weapon and we will take no option off the table to ensure that it does not acquire a nuclear weapon, including the military option. Votes: 6

Once you've learned to study in a bathing suit on the grass with muscled men throwing frisbees over your head, you can accomplish almost anything. Votes: 5

I spend every day up at the United Nations where I have to interact with 192 other countries. I know how well the United States is viewed. Votes: 5

The kids are Job One. So, to be quite candid, if they need me, I do my utmost to make sure I'm there. Votes: 4

I would rather be alone and a loud voice for action than be silent. Votes: 4

Americans are hungry for change both at home and in our relations with the rest of the world. Votes: 2

Peace, prosperity, and democracy cannot endure if imposed from the outside. We should cease to make false distinctions between peacekeeping and prevention; they are in fact inextricably linked. Votes: 2

I am very aware of being black and female because that's what I am. Votes: 2

What I learned is that policymakers have to force consideration of actions that may not have occurred to them at the time. Votes: 1

We are safer if there are not nuclear arsenals around the planet that can be utilized, stolen, sold to terrorists and others who would do harm. Votes: 1

With me, what you see is what you get. Votes: 0

All of us as citizens have to be consumers and judges. Votes: 0

Be who you are. If you spend all of your time worrying about how people view you, you will not be either faithful to yourself or effective in what you're trying to do. Votes: 0

Can I be blunt? Yes. Can I be diplomatic? Yes. Can I concoct a mixture of vinegar and honey when the circumstances warrant? Yes. Votes: 0

Change doesn't happen with people sitting on their behinds, getting lazy. Votes: 0

Focus on something that stirs your soul, it's hard to excel at anything that you don't love. Votes: 0

Governing is different than campaigning, and that comes with a whole different level of responsibility. Votes: 0

I am blunt sometimes; I am diplomatic sometimes; I am all things in between. Abrasive, you know, I guess it's in the eye of the beholder. Votes: 0

I am blunt when I want to be. Votes: 0

I am straight forward; I am not manipulative; I am not two-faced. And I think that that has served me well in all of my roles, particularly as a diplomat, because people knew if I said something, I meant it. If I said no, I meant no, and if I said we could make this work, we would make it work. Votes: 0

I do leisure reading but I don't get to do it like, at one in the morning. When I getting up at six in the morning, so I do most of my leisure reading on vacation and on airplanes and that sort of stuff. Votes: 0

I don't get drunk, I get a little happy on rare occasion, and I'm probably dancing if I'm that happy. Votes: 0

I don't have time to think about the false controversy, Votes: 0

I don't worry about how folks want to characterize me. Votes: 0

I have a range, and I'd much rather do things the nice way than the hard way, but sometimes you have to use all the tools at your disposal. Votes: 0

I have great ambitions for when I get out of government. I will watch a broader range of stuff. Votes: 0

I have no regrets whatsoever that I have acted in a way to advance my country's interests Votes: 0

I have to separate my personal concerns from my professional responsibilities. Votes: 0

I like to think that with me, what you see is what you get, and you can like or dislike it, it's up to you, but it's straight. That's something that I pride myself on. Votes: 0

I may not be able to work for anybody else again. I may just have to work for myself. Votes: 0

I read a ton of paper every day. I read the newspapers, I read my intelligence materials, I read all the briefing materials. I read the newspaper in hard copy. Votes: 0

I think it's very, very important that in foreign policy and national security decision making, as in any other realm, that there be a range of diversity that reflects the full complexity of America. We should draw on those experiences to inform our decision making. Votes: 0

I think most Americans understand that we went through a period in which American leadership was judged quite critically internationally. Votes: 0

I think one of the real issues that we're faced with is how we consume news, how the media is perceived, how fake news is gaining a degree of currency without criticism that is dangerous, in my judgement. Votes: 0

I think people have confidence that I will fairly and accurately represent their point of view to the President, and that I'm not going to put a spin on it, even if I may disagree with it. Votes: 0

I was conscious of the fact that it could be to my disadvantage to marry a white guy - that some folks would hold that against me. Votes: 0

I was very happy in my job at the United Nations. Votes: 0

I was working with a number of African heads of state. And after their initial surprise, I think many of them just treated me as they would anybody else. They had to deal with me as a representative of the United States of America, and the United States of America was too important to be dismissed or ignored on any grounds. Votes: 0

If you want change, you have to make it. If we want progress we have to drive it. Votes: 0

If you're trying to get something done, there will always be people who don't want to see you get something done, or who have a stake in the status quo. And if they approach that through ad hominem criticism of you, you've got to have enough confidence and thickness of skin to be able to endure. Votes: 0

I'm apologetic when I feel like I've made a mistake. And when I have done a disservice to myself or someone else. But I don't feel a need to apologize for doing or saying something that I think needs to be said, just because it may not sit comfortably with somebody else. Votes: 0

I'm not watching any TV shows, frankly. Votes: 0

I'm sort of in this rhythm where we want to make the most of the time we have, but when it's done it will be time for it to be done. Votes: 0

In this day and age, the U.S. and Europe do not have the luxury of focusing solely on a single region. Votes: 0

Iran's arms exports to the murderous Assad regime in Syria are of particular concern. As the Panel of Experts has concluded, Syria is now the central party to illicit Iranian arms transfers. Votes: 0

It is manifestly in the interest of the United States to deal with the very real threat that climate change poses. And that's why President Obama has worked so hard to reduce our own emissions and to lead internationally in forging the Paris climate agreement. Votes: 0

It may not be what you would've chosen, but we all have a responsibility to be active citizens and shape our system and our future. Votes: 0

It's in our interest to continue with the Paris Agreement and to deal with climate change as the real threat it actually is. Votes: 0

It's not the day in which I grew up, long time ago, where we had three news networks. No cable, no social media, no internet. Where what you see is what you got. We had basically straight journalism. We don't have that anymore. Votes: 0

I've been very lucky to have had a supportive family, a great education, enormous opportunity and challenge. Votes: 0

I've taken my knocks here and there, but I believe my intentions are good. Doesn't mean everything I do is perfectly executed or I don't make mistakes. Of course I do. Votes: 0

Like democracy itself, jazz has structure, but within it you can say almost anything. Votes: 0

Nobody's tried to touch my hair in like, in decades. Votes: 0

One of the things I love about negotiations is that you have to be able to play it like an orchestra, different instruments for different circumstances. There's sweetness, and encouragement, and cajoling. There's pressure, there's drama, there's ultimatums. Votes: 0

People are consuming the news that is comfortable for them, not necessarily the news that is real or that they need to know. Votes: 0

President Obama has got the most moderate temperament. Votes: 0

President Obama is an extraordinary person to work with and for. Votes: 0

President Obama is funny, he's thoughtful, he's challenging, he's fun to work with - and it's been an extraordinary privilege. Votes: 0

President Obama is perhaps the smartest person I've ever worked with. Votes: 0

Since I've had a career, my hair has been more or less professional. Votes: 0

South Africa's increasingly, for example, the largest foreign investor in various other parts of Africa. Votes: 0

Syria is a civil war. Syria began as a popular uprising, just like the other experiences in the Arab Spring, with a repressive government that responded by basically killing the protesters. It's not a genocide, it's a war, and there's a difference. Genocide is a preplanned attack on people because of who they are. This is a interstate conflict. Votes: 0

The notion that I had become a political lightning rod was painful for me to experience. Votes: 0

The U.S. cannot go it alone simply when it is convenient. Votes: 0

The youth thing never really, from my vantage point, slowed me down. I think the harder audience for me to gain acceptance from was the career diplomatic corps that worked with and for me in the Africa Bureau. Votes: 0

There are no cookie-cutter solutions that you can apply from one circumstance to another. They're different. Our interests, as implicated, are different. The tools we have at our disposal are different. Votes: 0

There are plenty of meetings, receptions, dinners, and so if you are [at the U.N.] any length of time, and I was there for four and a half years, you formed pretty significant relationships with people from all over the world. And that's important to the work you do. If you're trying to rally the General Assembly to vote for something that matters to the United States, those personal relationships count. Votes: 0

There is not an inherent contradiction between a Ukraine that has longstanding historic and cultural ties to Russia, and a modern Ukraine that wants to integrate more closely with Europe. Votes: 0

There was a hateful video that was disseminated on the Internet. It had nothing to do with the United States government, and it's one that we find disgusting and reprehensible. It's been offensive to many, many people around the world. That sparked violence in various parts of the world, including violence directed against Western facilities including our embassies and consulates. Votes: 0

Thirty years ago, about 80% of a company's assets resided in its plant and equipment, with 20% in the knowledge of its people. Today, the reverse is true. The knowledge of our staff is our principal asset Votes: 0

We are patriots in my family, we are believers in America, we're believers in democracy. Votes: 0

We can't let others judge information for us. Votes: 0

We have some straight journalism, but then we have opinion and perspective. And I think a lot of people, especially young people, don't know how to tell the difference, and aren't motivated to tell the difference. Votes: 0

We have to know who we are and know what we believe. Votes: 0

We're well aware, and we have been for a long time, that there is a real threat from adversaries, state actors, non-state actors, to hack us, influence us, destroy stuff through cyber means. Because cyber threat has been understood for a while, it's longstanding, it's a concern. Votes: 0

What I would say about me is: What you see is what I get. Votes: 0

What we have done is when the threat has been directed at the United States, i.e., the terrorist threat from ISIL or Al-Qaeda in Syria, is to go after them. Votes: 0

You can't sit on the sidelines and read your iPhone and be on social media and expect everything to be cool. You have to be part of this. Votes: 0

You have to make change. Votes: 0