Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same.
Condoleezza RiceRead
I think my father thought I might be president of the United States. I think he would've been satisfied with secretary of state. I'm a foreign policy person and to have a chance to serve my country as the nation's chief diplomat at a time of peril and consequence, that was enough.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the author's father's aspirations for her and her sense of fulfillment in serving her country.
Condoleezza Rice reflects on the expectations her father had for her future, expressing that he believed she had the potential to achieve great things, even reaching the presidency. Despite those lofty ambitions, Rice finds satisfaction in her significant role as the chief diplomat, emphasizing the importance of public service during challenging times and the value of serving her country.
Themes
LeadershipServiceDiplomacyAspirationPublic Service
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech focusing on future aspirations.
More from Condoleezza Rice
All quotes →What the United States has done is to be open to people who are fleeing tyranny, who are fleeing danger, but we have done it in a very careful way that has worked for us.
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For the United States, supporting international development is more than just an expression of our compassion. It is a vital investment in the free, prosperous, and peaceful international order that fundamentally serves our national interest.
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Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same. If you are too attentive to the former, you will most certainly not do the hard work of securing the latter.
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Does anybody think these people were just sitting around drinking tea?
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Let me let you in on a little secret. There is no such thing as an international community. There are self-maximizing, self-interested states that will push their interests as far as possible.
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