--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A president must know what it is he does…" description: "\"“A president must know what it is he does not know, and he should remain calm in pursuit of it, but there is no obligation to be honest about it.”\" — G..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fab/george-friedman-7436_leadership_a-president-must-know-what-it-is-he-does_1807648.png" --- # A president must know what it is he does not know, and he… ![“A president must know what it is he does not know, and he should remain calm in pursuit of it, but there is no obligation to be honest about it.” quote by George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fab/george-friedman-7436_leadership_a-president-must-know-what-it-is-he-does_1807648.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fab/george-friedman-7436_leadership_a-president-must-know-what-it-is-he-does_1807648.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fab/george-friedman-7436_leadership_a-president-must-know-what-it-is-he-does_1807648.png) > ““A president must know what it is he does not know, and he should remain calm in pursuit of it, but there is no obligation to be honest about it.”” [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders should admit ignorance, stay calm while learning, but they need not be honest about unknowns to maintain strategic advantage. **In simple terms:** Leaders can be calm about what they don’t know without full honesty. Key Takeaway Balance humility with strategic discretion. Themes leadership strategy honesty uncertainty Mood analytical cautious Type philosophical strategic When to use this quote - business negotiations - diplomatic talks - crisis management - policy planning Key Concepts political science risk management information control Questions to Reflect On - When is it acceptable to conceal uncertainty? - How does calmness affect decision‑making under unknowns? A Different Perspective Lack of honesty may erode trust over time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calm Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm-pursuit-2086130/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Obligation Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation-honest-2086132/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [President Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president-know-706574/) [Remain Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remain-calm/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) ## Related quotes > [What did the president know, and when did he know it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-baker/what-did-the-president-know-and-when-did-he-know-it/) [Howard Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-baker/) > [I think you have an obligation to be honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barkley/i-think-you-have-an-obligation-to-be-honest/) [Charles Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-barkley/) > [There is no man but for his own interest hath an obligation to be honest. 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