Quote

I have the deepest regret about 9/11. Sept. 11, 2001, was one of the most difficult days I've ever had. I was in Lima, Peru, and had to fly back eight hours not knowing what happened in my own country, knowing thousands of my fellow citizens had died.

Colin Powell

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Colin Powell
Age: 87
Born: 1937
Born: April 5
Diplomat
Former United States Secretary Of State
Politician
Soldier
New York City
New York
Colin Luther Powell
Knowing
Fellow
Happened
Thousands
Hours
Fellows
Difficult
Eight
Back
Regret
Lima
Ever
Died
Sept
Country
Citizens
Peru
Days
Deepest

More quotes by Colin Powell

Image
I think the Iranians are clearly determined to have a nuclear program. And we have to assume that with a nuclear program they have the capability and the will to create a nuclear weapon.
Colin Powell
Image
With respect to where we are now, we have a voluntary army. And if we ever go back to conscription I hope that at time it will be the kind of conscription that was put in at the end of the Vietnam War. And that is, everybody is equally liable to be called to serve the nation in time of conflict.
Colin Powell
Image
War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support.
Colin Powell
Image
Trust is the essence of Leadership.
Colin Powell
Image
I want to scare the hell out of the rest of the world.
Colin Powell
Image
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
Colin Powell
Image
I think all of the attention of the world, to include the attention of the Arab world, should be on Saddam Hussein and whether or not he is prepared to give up the weapons of mass destruction that he has used to terrorise the region.
Colin Powell
Image
Many interviewers when they come to talk to me, think they're being progressive by not mentioning in their stories any longer that I'm black. I tell them, 'Don't stop now. If I shot somebody you'd mention it.'
Colin Powell
Image
It takes more courage to send men into battle than to fight the battle yourself.
Colin Powell
Image
As I've thought about gay marriage, I don't see any reason not to say that [couples] should be able to get married.
Colin Powell
Image
It is good if your enemy underestimates you. The dumber they think you are the more surprised they are when you kill them.
Colin Powell
Image
Be careful what you choose: You may get it.
Colin Powell
Image
There is no suggestion of regime change quite the contrary, this is an initiative to help people and to help governments who are inclined toward change.
Colin Powell
Image
First you train the followers to accomplish the mission. Second, you resource them: Make sure that they have the tools to do the job. Third, you reward them: You give them medals or bonuses.
Colin Powell
Image
All values are important, everyone who has ever touched my life in some way was a mentor for good or bad. Life is a blend, and a person is a blend of all the influences that have touched their lives.
Colin Powell
Image
It is the job of leaders to eliminate uncertainty.
Colin Powell
Image
Nobody is ready to leave Iraq to be interviewed.
Colin Powell
Image
I regret that the presentation I made at the UN turned out to be wrong. It was wrong on the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, but pretty much right on intentions and capabilities.
Colin Powell
Image
President Reagan fueled the spirit of America. His smile, his optimism, his total belief in the ultimate triumph of democracy and freedom, and his willingness to act on that belief, helped end the Cold War and usher in a new and brighter phase of history.
Colin Powell
Image
Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it.
Colin Powell