Susan Rice Quotes

Powerful Susan Rice for Daily Growth

About Susan Rice

Susan Rice, born on November 17, 1964, in Washington D.C., is an accomplished American diplomat, politician, and author, who served as the United Nations Ambassador (2009-2013) and National Security Advisor (2013) under President Barack Obama's administration. Rice attended Stanford University, where she graduated with a BA in History and Political Science in 1986. She furthered her education at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a Master's degree in 1988. Her academic excellence and dedication to public service were fostered early, influenced by her parents who were academics and civil rights activists. In the early stages of her career, Rice worked for the National Security Council under President Clinton. She later joined the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as a Director before being appointed as Ambassador to the United Nations in 2009. In this role, she was instrumental in brokering a ceasefire in Libya and leading international responses to crises such as the Arab Spring and the Ebola outbreak. In 2013, Rice moved to the White House as National Security Advisor, where she played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy until the end of Obama's presidency in 2017. Post-White House, Rice has served on multiple corporate boards and published a memoir, "Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For," in 2019. Throughout her career, Susan Rice has demonstrated a commitment to diplomacy, international cooperation, and humanitarian causes. She remains a respected voice on global affairs and continues to shape public policy debates.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm not a shrinking violet. I don't shy away from speaking my mind and advocating forcefully for what I think is right."

This quote, by Susan Rice, conveys her assertive and bold personality. She is expressing that she is not afraid to express her opinions openly and strongly, even when they may be unpopular or challenging. Her words highlight her confidence, determination, and commitment to standing up for what she believes in.


"We live in an interconnected world and it's in our self-interest to engage, not retreat."

This quote by Susan Rice emphasizes the importance of international engagement and cooperation in today's interdependent global society. By engaging with other nations, we can collectively address shared challenges, seize opportunities for mutual growth, and safeguard our own self-interests. Retreating from this connected world risks isolation, missed chances for collaboration, and potential harm to our wellbeing as a nation. This idea underscores the significance of diplomacy, multilateralism, and open dialogue in shaping a more prosperous and secure future for all nations.


"Diplomacy doesn't mean indecision or weakness. Diplomacy is the strength and intelligence to find a solution that upholds the values we care about."

Susan Rice's quote emphasizes that diplomacy is not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of strategic strength and intellectual acumen. It suggests that by employing diplomatic means, one can navigate complex international relations while upholding cherished values. In essence, diplomacy empowers nations to find resolutions that preserve their core principles without resorting to conflict or coercion.


"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

This quote by Susan Rice encourages the idea that one should take control of their own destiny, rather than passively waiting for events to unfold. It implies that instead of relying on predictions or assumptions about the future, a more effective strategy is to actively shape it through personal action and effort. This perspective emphasizes proactivity, determination, and resilience in the pursuit of goals.


"You have to be willing to take risks, but calculated risks. Risks that are informed by facts, not fears."

This quote by Susan Rice highlights the importance of making strategic decisions with a balance between taking risks and ensuring they are well-informed. She suggests that while it's essential to be adventurous in one's pursuits, these risks should be backed by facts rather than fear-driven choices. In essence, the quote encourages individuals to be proactive, intelligent, and bold when making decisions but also cautious enough to base their actions on a strong understanding of the situation.


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

- Susan Rice

Alone, Go, Cannot, Convenient

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

- Susan Rice

Believe, Apartheid, Erase

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

- Susan Rice

Think, Through, Which, Critically

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.

- Susan Rice

Other, United, Our, National Security

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.

- Susan Rice

Planet, Harm, Sold, Stolen

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

- Susan Rice

Rest, World, Hungry, Relations

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

- Susan Rice

Streets, Been, Walked, Libya

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.

- Susan Rice

Prime, United States, Unprecedented

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

- Susan Rice

Cartoons, Violent, Depicting, Verses

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.

- Susan Rice

Suffering, Germany, Pakistan, Skate

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.

- Susan Rice

Fact, Deal, I Think, Transition

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.

- Susan Rice

Line, Been, Our, Table

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

- Susan Rice

Luxury, Single, Day And Age, Region

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.

- Susan Rice

Political, Achieve, Role, Respects

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.

- Susan Rice

All Americans, Garner, Thrive

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

- Susan Rice

Here, Larger, Korea, Weapons

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.

- Susan Rice

Practice, Funding, Sets, Legislation

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

- Susan Rice

May, Occurred, Learned, Consideration

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

- Susan Rice

United States, Enhanced, Respected

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.

- Susan Rice

Offensive, United States, Reprehensible

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.

- Susan Rice

Play, Part, Guard, Execute

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

- Susan Rice

Year, Production, 1 Percent, Shrinking

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

- Susan Rice

Me, Need, Sure, Candid

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

- Susan Rice

Increasingly, Largest, Investor

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.

- Susan Rice

Fact, Some, Disadvantage, Folks

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.

- Susan Rice

Other, United, United States, Viewed

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

- Susan Rice

Small, United States, Very, African

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

- Susan Rice

Alone, Voice, Loud, Silent

I am a direct person.

- Susan Rice

I Am, Person, Am, Direct

My kids have been incredibly supportive of the work that I do. They understand why it matters.

- Susan Rice

Matters, Been, Incredibly, Supportive

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.