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George P. Shultz Quotes

Powerful George P. Shultz for Daily Growth

About George P. Shultz

George Pratt Shultz, born on December 13, 1920, in New York City, is a distinguished American statesman, economist, and educator. His multifaceted career spans academia, business, and public service, earning him the reputation as one of the most influential figures of his generation. Shultz's academic prowess was evident early, earning a Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from MIT in 1942 and a Ph.D. in economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1949. He later became a faculty member at MIT and the University of Chicago, contributing to the field of microeconomics. His public service began during the Nixon administration as the Secretary of Labor (1969-1970), where he implemented significant reforms to unemployment insurance and worker safety regulations. In 1972, he transitioned to become the Secretary of the Treasury, overseeing crucial economic policies during a period of economic instability. Shultz's most notable role was as the 60th United States Secretary of State (1982-1989), serving under President Ronald Reagan. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in ending the nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union through the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and was instrumental in negotiating the 1986 U.S.-China relations breakthrough. Post-government service, Shultz returned to academia as a distinguished fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, where he continues to serve today. In recognition of his achievements, he has received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Humanities Medal. Throughout his career, George Shultz has demonstrated a commitment to pragmatic problem-solving, intellectual curiosity, and bipartisan cooperation. His quotes reflect these values: "You must have the courage to do what you believe is right," and "Negotiation is the art of letting the other fellow have your way."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To get something you never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done."

This quote highlights that achieving new goals or acquiring things we don't currently possess requires us to step out of our comfort zones and take on actions we may not have attempted before. It emphasizes the importance of being open to change, willing to learn, and ready to put in effort if we desire progress or growth in our lives.

"The first thing I do in any problem-solving is to try to find opportunities in problems."

This quote by George P. Shultz emphasizes a proactive approach to problem-solving, focusing on finding potential opportunities hidden within challenges rather than solely dwelling on their negative aspects. In essence, it suggests that problems can serve as stepping stones for growth and innovation if we are open to seeking out the positive possibilities they may present.

"There are three types of lies — lies, damned lies, and statistics." (often attributed to Shultz but actually from Mark Twain)

This quote emphasizes the manipulative nature of information, particularly statistical data. It suggests that statistics, when used misleadingly or without proper context, can be just as deceptive as outright lies, and even more dangerous because they appear objective and factual. The phrase "damned lies" indicates strong disapproval towards such dishonest use of information.

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

This quote emphasizes that the effectiveness or success of a person, idea, or entity is determined by their determination, effort, and passion, rather than their inherent size, power, or resources. In other words, a smaller or less powerful entity can defeat a larger one if it fights with greater determination and commitment. It's a metaphorical reminder that the spirit of the fight matters more than the apparent strength or advantage.

"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."

This quote by George P. Shultz suggests that true intellectual capacity lies in the ability to maintain cognitive tension between conflicting ideas without becoming paralyzed by contradiction. It implies that individuals with high intelligence can appreciate multiple perspectives, consider diverse viewpoints, and navigate complexity skillfully - all essential traits for making sound decisions and fostering innovation.

I learned in business that you had to be very careful when you told somebody that's working for you to do something, because the chances were very high he'd do it. In government, you don't have to worry about that.

- George P. Shultz

Business, Worry, Very, Chances

What we want is scientists who don't become part of the policy discussion: All they do is produce science. If someone becomes an advocate, then I won't pay as much attention to their science.

- George P. Shultz

Want, Pay, Part, Much Attention

The higher the classification of secrecy, the quicker you will report it.

- George P. Shultz

Will, Quicker, Secrecy, Report

The source of all the energy is the sun. The big challenge is, how do you use all of that energy? Solar power has to fascinate you. There have been strides to get the costs down, and if this will work, you have to get costs down so it is competitive with fossil fuels.

- George P. Shultz

Big, Been, Big Challenge, Strides

Oh, you know. I am secretary of state. My trips aren't successful. I just talk to people.

- George P. Shultz

People, Secretary, Am, Trips

I think the idea that you would do everything you can to prevent what is coming at you by way of something very disruptive - a 9/11 - it's a no-brainer.

- George P. Shultz

Think, I Think, Very, No-Brainer

Increasingly, the state system has been eroding. Terrorists have exploited this weakness by burrowing into the state system in order to attack it.

- George P. Shultz

Weakness, Been, Increasingly, Exploited

My experience is that if the military didn't want to use force and was confronted with a president that did, the military would come back with what I would call the 'bomb Moscow' scenario. They would say it had to be done with conditions that were so extreme, you obviously wouldn't do it.

- George P. Shultz

Back, Use, Moscow, Confronted

We have struggled with terrorism for a long time. In the Reagan administration, I was a hawk on the subject. I said terrorism is a big problem, a different problem, and we have to take forceful action against it. Fortunately, Ronald Reagan agreed with me, but not many others did.

- George P. Shultz

Big, Reagan, Forceful, Big Problem

Open political and economic systems have been gaining ground and there's a good reason for it. They work better.

- George P. Shultz

Reason, Been, Gaining, Good Reason

Terrorism is not a matter that can be left to law enforcement, with its deliberative process, built-in delays, and safeguards that may let the prisoner go free on procedural grounds.

- George P. Shultz

Law, Process, Safeguards, Grounds

Obama seems to want to do something to damage rich people.

- George P. Shultz

Want, Damage, Obama, Rich People

Nothing ever gets settled in this town. a seething debating society in which the debate never stops, in which people never give up, including me. And so that's the atmosphere in which you administer.

- George P. Shultz

Give, Atmosphere, Which, Administer

The armed forces are paying a lot more attention to the use of energy. The Air Force has realized that the paint on planes is heavy, so there are going to be a lot more silver planes, or planes painted in a less heavy way, so that you are using less fuel to get from point A to point B.

- George P. Shultz

Fuel, Use, Painted, Forces

There is no prospect that the United States will say to Israel, 'You do such and such and we'll not support you in your security.'

- George P. Shultz

Will, United, United States, Prospect

Between 1980 and 1990, the number of countries that were classified as 'free' or 'mostly free' increased by about 50%.

- George P. Shultz

Number, Mostly, Increased, Classified

You don't get gushers of revenue by raising tax rates. You get it through expansion.

- George P. Shultz

Through, Get, Raising, Revenue

The civilized world has a common stake in defeating the terrorists.

- George P. Shultz

World, Common, Civilized, Stake

It was an attempt to stick the Congress's finger in King Hussein's eye.

- George P. Shultz

Eye, Finger, Congress, Hussein

I don't know how you define 'neoconservatism,' but I think it's associated with trying to spread open political systems and democracy.

- George P. Shultz

Political, Think, I Think, Associated

If you ask me what am I, I might say 'I am a Californian,' and if George Bush were here, he would say 'I am a Texan.'

- George P. Shultz

Here, Might, Bush, George

Strong growth means increased use of energy at a pace that can strain the capacity to supply what is needed at a reasonable price.

- George P. Shultz

Strong, Strain, Means, Pace

The 1986 tax act is sort of the unsung hero of the very good economic times we had for a long time. Of course, politics gums it all up again and preferences get put in.

- George P. Shultz

Politics, Very, Preferences, Unsung

I want my grandchildren to be proud of me. That's the main thing.

- George P. Shultz

Proud, Grandchildren, Want, Main Thing

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