Presidents who obsess over history obsess over their place in it, instead of forging it.

There are two kinds of pain. Pain that makes you strong or useless pain. I have no patience for useless things. Some moments require someone who acts, who does the unpleasant things.

Circumstances have changed! It has been an evolving discussion.

We live by one rule and one rule only. Never again will we allow ourselves to be put in such a position. One bite at a time.

Humility Never let your gratitude sour into pride. A persons character isn't determined by how he or she enjoys victory, but rather how he or she endures defeat.

Nothing can help us endure dark times better than our faith.

I have thought about it. I've put a lot of thought into it. I need you to trust that I know what I'm doing.

It's late, I never make such decision so long after sunset and so far from dawn.

Irons are in fire. I like irons but I love fire.

Power is a lot like real estate. It's all about location, location, location. The closer you are to the source the higher your property value.

Do you choose money over power? Money is the Mc Mansion at the beach, that falls apart after 10y. Power is the old stone building that stands for centuries.

What a martyr craves more than anything is a sword to fall on. So, you sharpen the blade hold it at just the right angle and then 3,2.1.. 😳

Well I could only consider this as an option if I knew that I could still come to you for counsel.

I can imagine how it is to be capable, beautiful and ambitious and to be on the checklist of someone, I think that looks good and feels good to have on the shelf. I admire you. I want to enable you. I want to clear the way for you. So that you can achieve what you want to achieve, on your own terms.

What are we supposed to do in the face of senseless pain? What else can we do but take what seems meaningless and try to make something meaningful from it.

Friends make the worst enemies.

A rare example of someone whose head is in the game instead of up their backside. Competence is such an exotic bird in these woods that I appreciate it whenever I see it.

This is the worst possible position to be in. I forced myself into a corner. Only a total victory will put me back in a good situation. The alternative is exile.

TV debate with the union leader, with his ego he messed up everything. Stay focused on the topic and don't let your ego control you.

From this moment on you are a rock. You absorb nothing, you say nothing and nothing breaks you.

I've been giving it a lot of thought and think it's a good idea, but I'd like to look over my notes first, if you don't mind, so I can talk about it intelligently with you. (to win time)

Generosity is its own form of power.

Be ruthless with yourself and use your fears against your bad habits it will make you stronger. You can't control who you are but you can control zero. #habits

There's no better way to overpower a trickle doubt than with a flood of naked truth. #badnews

There's a value in having secrets strong people wouldn't be their self without them. Weak people are trapped by their secrets. After all, we are nothing more less than what we choose to reveal. #secrets

Harmony It's not about what's lasting or permanent. It is about individual voices coming together for a moment and that moment lasts the length of a breath.

Proximity to power deludes some into believing they wield it. I put an end to that sort of thinking before it begins. #power

Bleeding hearts have an ironic fear of their own blood. One drop and they seize up. But offer them a caring hand and massage them back to life and they soon start beating to the right drum.

Both have mutual objectives but aim only for egoistic goals like power and status.

If you're honest your opponent may use it against you. If you're not your opponent won't lift a finger. Once someone is exposed, they're at your mercy.

I make a habit of considering all trajectories in any given situation. It's a practical exercise.

I have a distaste for hypotheticals just the same as you have a distaste for speculation.

Decisions based on emotions and instincts aren't decisions at all. The rational and the irrational complement each other. Individually, they're far less powerful.

Every kitten grows up to be a cat. They seem so harmless at first. Small, quiet, lapping up their milk. But once their claws get long enough, they draw blood. Sometimes from the hand that feeds them.

For those on top of the food chain there is just one rule. Hunt or be hunted.

If you don't like how the table is set, turn over the table. (He supported the position of the billionaire friend of the president about the positioning against Chinese regarding cyberattacks)

Sometimes standing your ground is better than giving in. They respect you more when you show strength. (about the diplomatic crisis with the Chinese)

To improve is to change, to perfect is to change often.

If we never did anything we shouldn't do, we'd never feel good about doing the things we should.

Any pugilists worth his salt knows when someone's on the ropes, that's when you throw a combination to the gut and left hook to the jaw.

Stubbornness is far more costly than obedience.

The only way to have a friend is to be one.

Trouble with Freddy When you care too much it blinds us. Staying focused requires strength.

The road to power is paved with hypocrisy and casualties. Never regret.

The only thing more satisfying than convincing someone to do what I want is failing to persuade them on purpose. It's like a "do not enter" sign. It just begs you to walk through the door.

We all must make sacrifices to achieve our dreams. But sometimes we must sacrifice ourselves for the greater good.

Power is better than money, for as long as it lasts. But it never lasts...

I came with nothing to ask. Men like you don't show up for dinner without an appetite.

I rest my eyes a bit and put some thought into this with a fresh mind. He can't turn a "no" into a yes without a maybe in between.