Most governments lie to each other. That’s the way business gets done.

Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) was the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense (2006–11). Prior to this, Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W. Bush as Director of Central Intelligence. He formerly served as the President of Texas A&M University.

Quotes

• It has become clear that America’s civilian institutions of diplomacy and development have been chronically undermanned and underfunded for far too long – relative to what we spend on the military, and more important, relative to the responsibilities and challenges our nation has around the world.
  • Speech to U.S. Global Leadership Campaign (Washington, D.C.), 2008-07-15.

• Most governments lie to each other. That’s the way business gets done.
  • CNN interview, 2011-06-19.

• Tough-minded, realistic, and very pro-American.
  • About South Korean president Lee Myung-bak, as quoted in Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War (12 May 2015), by R.M. Gates, p. 416.

External links