31+ Condoleezza Rice Quotes From The Diplomat, Politician And Professor

Srija Chanda
Dec 12, 2023 By Srija Chanda
Originally Published on Mar 12, 2021
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
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Read time: 6.2 Min

Born on 14 November 1954, Condoleezza Rice is the current director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Condoleezza Rice is an American diplomat, political scientist and a civil servant. Condoleezza Rice is perhaps most known for being the first African American woman to serve as the United States Secretary of State.

Condoleezza Rice comes from a background of rich education and tradition. On the surface, she may seem poised and calm, but beneath that layer is her ongoing struggle to fight for her rights. Condoleezza Rice is a member of the Republican party of the United States and served as a member of the National Security, with close affiliation to then president, George W. Bush. Given below is a list of Condoleezza Rice quotes to give you an insight into this amazing woman.

For more relatable content, check out Shirley Chisholm quotes and Civil Rights quotes.

Best Condoleezza Rice Quotes

The American flag, the US constitution and a fountain pen

Being the first African American woman to serve as United States Secretary of State, her powerful roles made her a special assistant to the then President George W. Bush. Condoleezza Rice also played a key role in the federal government's security council. The following is a list of some of the best Condoleezza Rice quotes.

1. "People are tired of being kept from the dignity that allows them to make their own choices."

- Condoleezza Rice.

2. "Prejudice and bigotry are brought down, by the sheer force of determination of individuals to succeed and the refusal of a human being to let prejudice define the parameters of the possible."

- Condoleezza Rice.

3. "You might not be able to control your circumstances but you can control your response to your circumstances."

- Condoleezza Rice.

4. "You never cede control of your own ability to be successful to something called racism."

- Condoleezza Rice.

5. "We are at war, and our security as a nation depends on winning that war."

- Condoleezza Rice.

6. "If you were not in a position of authority on September 11, you have no idea the pressures that we faced to try and make sure that this country wasn’t attacked again."

- Condoleezza Rice.

7. "Not everyone is going to agree with any president, with this president, but you have to speak to every American, not just to those who might agree with you."

- Condoleezza Rice.

8. "People may oppose you, but when they realize you can hurt them, they'll join your side."

- Condoleezza Rice.

9. "We really want to be ready to hit the ground running with this new government when it's ready to go."

- Condoleezza Rice.

10. "Senator, I'm happy to continue the discussion, but I really hope that you will not imply that I take the truth lightly."

- Condoleezza Rice.

Condoleezza Rice Quotes On Life

Born in Alabama, Condoleezza Rice has accomplished a lot throughout her lifetime. As a political scientist, national security adviser, first African American United States Secretary of State with close alliance to the then President George W. Bush, and a part of the National Security Council. Condoleezza Rice has always done what she believed is right and needed for the Middle East and the American. Here's a list of quotes from Condoleezza Rice to follow in life.

11. "When you are going up the corporate ladder or the government ladder, you have to take some risk."

- Condoleezza Rice.

12. "There’s no greater challenge and there is no greater honor than to be in public service."

- Condoleezza Rice.

13. "The sooner you learn that life is not fair, the better off you'll be, because you'll spend less time railing against life's unfairness and feeling aggrieved and entitled."

- Condoleezza Rice.

14. "People who end up first don't actually set out to be first. They set out to do something they love."

- Condoleezza Rice.

15. "We are not going to negotiate with the terms of terrorism. You don't negotiate about terrorism."

- Condoleezza Rice.

16. "Life is full of surprises and and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success."

- Condoleezza Rice.

17. "In America, with education and hard work, it really does not matter where you came from; it matters only where you are going."

- Condoleezza Rice.

18. "I firmly believe you never should spend your time being the former anything."

- Condoleezza Rice.

19. "If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure-do it well, enjoy it-and then, not now, think about what comes next."

- Condoleezza Rice.

20. "If you are overdressed, it is a comment on them. If you are under dressed, it is a comment on you."

- Condoleezza Rice.

Condoleezza Rice Famous Quotes

In a political world dominated by white American men, Condoleezza Rice made an identity for herself that is hard to forget. Her speeches, work and interviews tell us a lot about her life. The first African American to work as the United States Secretary of State and and a member of the National Security Council, she showed everyone that with determination, nothing is impossible. Given below is a list of some of the most famous Condoleezza Rice quotes.

21. "My father was a feminist from the day I was born; there was nothing his little girl couldn’t do. And he modeled that in his relationship with my mother."

- Condoleezza Rice.

22. "Let's not turn women into snowflakes. Let's not infantilize women."

- Condoleezza Rice.

23. "We need to move beyond the idea that girls can be leaders and create the expectation that they should be leaders."

- Condoleezza Rice.

24. "My parents had me absolutely convinced that even if I couldn’t have a hamburger at the Woolworth’s lunch counter, I could be president of the United States of America if I wanted to be."

- Condoleezza Rice.

25. "I don’t see myself in any way in elected office. I love policy. I’m not particularly fond of politics."

- Condoleezza Rice.

26. "I said from the very beginning, and I continue to believe this is right, when you leave office you owe it to your successors to just recognize that they're now elected and it's their opportunity and their show."

- Condoleezza Rice.

27. "It takes a really long time but we can’t give up on people who are still trying to make that journey."

- Condoleezza Rice.

28. "We need a common enemy to unite us."

- Condoleezza Rice.

29. "This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia, where Russia can threaten its neighbors, occupy a capital, overthrow a government, and get away with it. Things have changed."

-  Condoleezza Rice.

30. "When you start wiping out your history, sanitizing your history to make you feel better, it's a bad thing."

- Condoleezza Rice.

31. "The first step for a leader is to be right with yourself. Integrity is the basis of leadership."

- Condoleezza Rice.

32. "What the United States has done hasn't always been liked or popular. But if you look at some of the most populous places in the world – China, India – the United States is not only respected but, in fact, popular."

- Condoleezza Rice.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Condoleezza Rice quotes, then why not take a look at Sandra Day O'Connor quotes or injustice quotes?

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Written by Srija Chanda

Master of Arts specializing in Mass Communication/Media Studies

Srija Chanda picture

Srija ChandaMaster of Arts specializing in Mass Communication/Media Studies

An aspiring media professional, Srija is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Mass Communication at St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, after completing her degree in journalism. With experience in PR and social media, she has also honed her leadership skills through her participation in a youth parliament. Srija's interests include devouring books, watching movies, and exploring new places through travel.

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