Can I be blunt? Yes. Can I be diplomatic? Yes. Can I concoct a mixture of vinegar and honey when the circumstances warrant? Yes. Susan Rice More Quotes by Susan Rice More Quotes From Susan Rice Progress is the product of human agency. Things get better because we make them better. Things go wrong when we get too comfortable, when we fail to take risks or seize opportunities. Susan Rice agency risk opportunity I would rather be alone and a loud voice for action than be silent. Susan Rice silent loud-voices action I think one of the real issues that we're faced with is how we consume news, how the media is perceived, how fake news is gaining a degree of currency without criticism that is dangerous, in my judgement. Susan Rice media real thinking What we have done is when the threat has been directed at the United States, i.e., the terrorist threat from ISIL or Al-Qaeda in Syria, is to go after them. Susan Rice isil united-states done If you want change, you have to make it. If we want progress we have to drive it. Susan Rice progress change want Focus on something that stirs your soul, it's hard to excel at anything that you don't love. Susan Rice your-soul focus soul 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 rights people Change doesn't happen with people sitting on their behinds, getting lazy. Susan Rice lazy sitting people Americans understand that our security is enhanced when the United States is trusted and respected in the world. Susan Rice trusted united-states world Once you've learned to study in a bathing suit on the grass with muscled men throwing frisbees over your head, you can accomplish almost anything. Susan Rice suits over-you men I read a ton of paper every day. I read the newspapers, I read my intelligence materials, I read all the briefing materials. I read the newspaper in hard copy. Susan Rice briefing copies paper I don't worry about how folks want to characterize me. Susan Rice folks want worry We have some straight journalism, but then we have opinion and perspective. And I think a lot of people, especially young people, don't know how to tell the difference, and aren't motivated to tell the difference. Susan Rice differences people thinking We have been very clear that Israel has an undeniable right to self-defense and that the rockets that it has faced coming out of Gaza incessantly, the tunnels that are legion and are being used to infiltrate into Israel are very legitimate security concerns, for which they have an obligation - against which they have an obligation to act. Susan Rice legion concern obligation We have to know who we are and know what we believe. Susan Rice who-we-are knows believe I've taken my knocks here and there, but I believe my intentions are good. Doesn't mean everything I do is perfectly executed or I don't make mistakes. Of course I do. Susan Rice taken mistake believe The larger picture here is that a North Korea with nuclear weapons adds to the larger proliferation risk. Susan Rice korea risk add The notion that I had become a political lightning rod was painful for me to experience. Susan Rice lightning political painful I was very happy in my job at the United Nations. Susan Rice very-happy united-nations jobs I like to think that with me, what you see is what you get, and you can like or dislike it, it's up to you, but it's straight. That's something that I pride myself on. Susan Rice up-to-you pride thinking