You need to understand, if you take out a government, take out a regime, guess who becomes the government and regime and is responsible for the country? You are. So if you break it, you own it.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes personal responsibility in governance and the repercussions of political actions.
Colin Powell's quote highlights that when one disrupts an established government or regime, they inherit the responsibility of rebuilding and managing what replaces it. It serves as a reminder that individuals and groups must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions in politics, as the fallout from dismantling a system ultimately falls on those who instigate change.
In practice
During a political debate to highlight the importance of accountability in government.
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. I am talking about a gung-ho attitude that says 'we can change things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best. 'Spare me the grim litany of the 'realist;' give me the unrealistic aspirations of the optimist any day.
One of the fondest expressions around is that we can't be the world's policeman. But guess who gets called when suddenly someone needs a cop.
Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.
If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.
High-quality early-childhood programs and health coverage have expanded, and the number of mentoring relationships for at-risk youth has risen dramatically. That progress is encouraging, but it's not evenly distributed.
As I've thought about gay marriage, I don't see any reason not to say that [couples] should be able to get married.
If we took away barriers to women's leadership, we would solve the climate change problem a lot faster
Lenity will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigor. It is, therefore, my first wish, to have my whole conduct distinguished by it.
Learn to help people with more than just their jobs: help them with their lives.
A director makes 100 decisions an hour. Students ask me how you know how to make the right decision, and I say to them, 'If you don't know how to make the right decision, you're not a director.'
Empowering, cultivating, and ultimately serving those who follow you will unlock massive potential within your organization, allowing you to solve for problems in real time.
I think that we need women role models everywhere. I think that it's really hard to imagine yourself as something that you don't see.
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