"The U.N. power comes from concerted action of the governments."
Read quote
3 likes
Quote collection
Kofi Annan quotes (page 16 of 17)
333 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Having worked my way from the bottom of the ladder to the top [of the UN] certainly helped me navigate that complexity, both political and bureaucratic."
Read quote
3 likes
"Over time you get to understand the nature of man and the environments you are dealing with, and you can't always allow emotions and temper to flare up because you're displeased with something, or you want to change it."
Read quote
3 likes
"I observe a lot. I see a lot around me."
Read quote
3 likes
"Sometimes I walk into a situation and I know somebody is going to provoke me - not maybe, I know he will provoke me - I know he will provoke me! And there are times when I simply refuse to be provoked. And the other times you have to use that superior knowledge to carry on at work without distraction, and don't allow yourself to be distracted."
Read quote
3 likes
"We had a rule in the school that when you're punished, you carry out the punishment and then complain, which I felt was absolutely unfair: if I'd done it, what was the point of complaining?"
Read quote
3 likes
"In a world of plenty, continued suffering is a terrible stain on our conscience. It is inexcusable that we not strive, with every resource at our disposal, to eliminate suffering."
Read quote
3 likes
"The Lord had the wonderful advantage of being able to work alone. Answering why he had not implemented organizational reforms after five months when 'God created the universe in seven day"
Read quote
3 likes
"Does anyone seriously contend that any nation can fend for itself?"
Read quote
3 likes
"We must bring a message of solidarity, of mutual respect and, above all, of hope. Business cannot afford to be seen as the problem."
Read quote
3 likes
"You have to develop a certain healthy distance to allow you to keep a clear head, to be able to analyse the situation, lead your team, and move forward with them, because there are times if I'm not careful... if you get too involved, it will consume you; it will consume you, and you will not be good to your team; the issues you are dealing with."
Read quote
3 likes
"It is well known that you can only manage what you measure, and as this is the job of professional accountants, it means they have huge influence on companies' governance."
Read quote
3 likes
"You will recall that for months after 9/11, there was incredible support and sympathy for the US. I really hoped and wished they had played on that, and kept all these friends they had made, and found a way of dealing with the terrorists through co-operation of international intelligence services, police exchange of information."
Read quote
3 likes
"It's not that easy to quit. When you look back in the American system it is very rare that people quit on issues of principle."
Read quote
3 likes
"Normally when people resign they will organise their champagne farewell parties... and then they resurface somewhere."
Read quote
3 likes
"We tend to look at countries in terms of failed states and functioning states, which is rather simplistic."
Read quote
3 likes
"You have made people listen. You have made people care, and you have taught us that whether we are poor or prosperous, we have only one world to share. You have taught young people that they do have the power to change the world."
Read quote
3 likes
"If there is one area where equity is crucial and essential, I think it should be the issue of water."
Read quote
3 likes
"The problem is this. The spread of markets outpaces the ability of societies and their political systems to adjust to them, let alone to guide the course they take"
Read quote
3 likes
"[Refugees] cannot be stopped, but they can and must be managed better, more humanely, protecting migrants' human rights whilst accepting states' rights to control their borders."
Read quote
3 likes