Accomplish Quote by Henry A. Kissinger
“One of the hardest things for the president is to distinguish the routine issues that come through from the essential issues that affect the long term, and not to let himself get sucked into the battles of the bureaucracy for marginal issues, and to keep them focused and to keep his mind clear on what the fundamental things are that he has to accomplish.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Carnegie Endowment, 1975
He warns presidents to focus on fundamental, long‑term issues, avoiding distraction by bureaucratic minutiae.
In simple terms: Presidents must prioritize core, long‑term matters.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize fundamentals over trivialities.
Themes
politics
leadership
focus
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
political
advisory
When to use this quote
- policy making
- corporate governance
- project management
Key Concepts
strategic planning
bureaucracy
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria define “essential” issues?
- How to balance long‑term vision with immediate needs?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on fundamentals can ignore urgent crises.
![“Before the Freedom of Information Act, I used to say at meetings "The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." [...] But since the Freedom of Information Act, I'm afraid to say things like that.” quote by Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6dc/henry-a-kissinger-1068_freedom_before-the-freedom-of-information-act-i_25339.jpg)
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
