Intelligence Quote by Frank Carlucci
“And I argued with that intelligence estimate and I think it is a responsibility of policymakers to use their best judgment on the basis of the intelligence they've received.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public remarks, 1999, US National Security Council
Policymakers must weigh intelligence critically and apply their own judgment rather than follow estimates blindly.
In simple terms: Leaders should use judgment, not just raw intelligence.
Key Takeaway
Exercise independent judgment.
Themes
leadership
decision-making
intelligence analysis
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advisory
policy.
When to use this quote
- policy formulation
- crisis response
- strategic planning
- government briefing
Key Concepts
National security
cognitive bias
responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance expert advice with personal judgment?
- When should you challenge consensus?
A Different Perspective
Intelligence can be incomplete or politicized, limiting certainty.
![“The problem is that neither the M1 nor the M60 or indeed neither any tank, has sufficient ground pressure to drive a [bulldozer] blade into even marginally hard ground. They are not bulldozers, they are tanks, whether you are talking about the M1 or the M60's. So if you are going to dig in a tank…” quote by Frank Carlucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/584/frank-carlucci-27174_blades_the-problem-is-that-neither-the-m1-nor-t_2453261.jpg)
