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112 Top Madeleine Albright Quotes You May Need In Your Life

Famous As: 64th United States Secretary of State (1997 - 2001)
Born On: May 15, 1937
Died On: March 23, 2022
Born In: Smíchov, Prague, Czechia
Died At Age: 84
Madeleine Jane Korben Albright is an American diplomat, politician and professor, known as the first female Secretary of State of the United States of America. She belongs to the Democratic Party. The first big break in her career came in 1978 when she was made the congressional liaison of the ‘National Security Council’ in the White House. She went from strength to strength in a political career that saw her scale new heights, and eventually appointed the ‘Secretary of State’ in 1995 by Bill Clinton. In 1997, she became a Senator. Other than that, she is a member of the board of Council of Foreign Relations and also serves as an International Relations professor at ‘Georgetown University’ in Washington. Albright has also been a noted author and some of her noted works include ‘Madame Secretary’, ‘Memo to the President Elect’, ‘The Mighty and the Almighty’ and ‘Read My Pins’. In all these books, her thoughts on politics and her worldview as a seasoned politician shine through. She is without doubt one of the most important figures in modern politics in the United States. Her beliefs and thoughts are also apparent in the following collection of quotes and sayings which have been excerpted from her writings, interviews, speeches, public interactions and tweets. Let us browse through simple, sensible and inspirational quotes and thoughts by Madeleine Albright.
There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women.

There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." (Keynote speech at Celebrating Inspiration luncheon with the WNBA's All-Decade Team, 2006)

Madeleine Albright

A lot of people think international relations is like a game of chess. But it's not a game of chess, where people sit quietly, thinking out their strategy, taking their time between moves. It's more like a game of billiards, with a bunch of balls clustered together.

Madeleine Albright

No matter what message you are about to deliver somewhere, whether it is holding out a hand of friendship, or making clear that you disapprove of something, is the fact that the person sitting across the table is a human being, so the goal is to always establish common ground.

Madeleine Albright
I've never been to New Zealand before. But one of my role models, Xena, the warrior princess, comes from there.

I've never been to New Zealand before. But one of my role models, Xena, the warrior princess, comes from there.

Madeleine Albright
I love being a woman and I was not one of these women who rose through professional life by wearing men's clothes or looking masculine. I loved wearing bright colors and being who I am.

I love being a woman and I was not one of these women who rose through professional life by wearing men's clothes or looking masculine. I loved wearing bright colors and being who I am.

Madeleine Albright
It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.

It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.

Madeleine Albright
The magic of America is that we're a free and open society with a mixed population. Part of our security is our freedom.

The magic of America is that we're a free and open society with a mixed population. Part of our security is our freedom.

Madeleine Albright

I have to tell you, my seven-year-old granddaughter said to my daughter, her mother, 'So what's the big deal about Grandma Maddy having been Secretary of State? Only girls are Secretaries of State.' Most of her lifetime, it's true. But at the time it really was a big deal.

Madeleine Albright
I think women are really good at making friends and not good at networking. Men are good at networking and not necessarily making friends. That's a gross generalization, but I think it holds in many ways.

I think women are really good at making friends and not good at networking. Men are good at networking and not necessarily making friends. That's a gross generalization, but I think it holds in many ways.

Madeleine Albright
Well, the thing that I learned as a diplomat is that human relations ultimately make a huge difference.

Well, the thing that I learned as a diplomat is that human relations ultimately make a huge difference.

Madeleine Albright
If you look at my life, generally, I've been put in situations which were difficult and which I conquered.

If you look at my life, generally, I've been put in situations which were difficult and which I conquered.

Madeleine Albright
People are finding it harder and harder to relate to foreign policy.

People are finding it harder and harder to relate to foreign policy.

Madeleine Albright
Nobody's ever said that pins are a tool of diplomacy.

Nobody's ever said that pins are a tool of diplomacy.

Madeleine Albright
There's Madeleine, and then there's 'Madeleine Albright'. And I sometimes kind of think, who is this person? Once you become 'Madeleine Albright' it doesn't go away.

There's Madeleine, and then there's 'Madeleine Albright'. And I sometimes kind of think, who is this person? Once you become 'Madeleine Albright' it doesn't go away.

Madeleine Albright
I am a beneficiary of the American people's generosity, and I hope we can have comprehensive immigration legislation that allows this country to continue to be enriched by those who were not born here.

I am a beneficiary of the American people's generosity, and I hope we can have comprehensive immigration legislation that allows this country to continue to be enriched by those who were not born here.

Madeleine Albright

Jewelry and pins have been worn throughout history as symbols of power, sending messages. Interestingly enough, it was mostly men who wore the jewelry in various times, and obviously crowns were part of signals that were being sent throughout history by people of rank.

Madeleine Albright

But I do not believe that the world would be entirely different if there were more women leaders. Maybe if everybody in leadership was a woman, you might not get into the conflicts in the first place. But if you watch the women who have made it to the top, they haven't exactly been non-aggressive - including me.

Madeleine Albright
I have said this many times, that there seems to be enough room in the world for mediocre men, but not for mediocre women, and we really have to work very, very hard.

I have said this many times, that there seems to be enough room in the world for mediocre men, but not for mediocre women, and we really have to work very, very hard.

Madeleine Albright
Hillary Clinton will always be there for you. And just remember - there's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other.

Hillary Clinton will always be there for you. And just remember - there's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other.

Madeleine Albright
We will not be intimidated or pushed off the world stage by people who do not like what we stand for, and that is, freedom, democracy and the fight against disease, poverty and terrorism.

We will not be intimidated or pushed off the world stage by people who do not like what we stand for, and that is, freedom, democracy and the fight against disease, poverty and terrorism.

Madeleine Albright
To understand Europe, you have to be a genius - or French.

To understand Europe, you have to be a genius - or French.

Madeleine Albright
I have been in meetings where a head of state will say, 'I like your tie,' to a man... or, 'I like your country because the weather's good,' or whatever. So for me, the pins in some ways were openers.

I have been in meetings where a head of state will say, 'I like your tie,' to a man... or, 'I like your country because the weather's good,' or whatever. So for me, the pins in some ways were openers.

Madeleine Albright
As a leader, you have to have the ability to assimilate new information and understand that there might be a different view.

As a leader, you have to have the ability to assimilate new information and understand that there might be a different view.

Madeleine Albright
Women can't do everything at the same time, we need to understand milestones in our lives comes in segments.

Women can't do everything at the same time, we need to understand milestones in our lives comes in segments.

Madeleine Albright

One of the issues I kept saying to my students is you have to learn to interrupt. When you raise your hand at a meeting, by the time they get to you, the point is not germane. So the bottom line is active listening. If you are going to interrupt, you look for opportunities. You have to know what you're talking about.

Madeleine Albright
Most of the time I spend when I get up in the morning is trying to figure out what is going to happen.

Most of the time I spend when I get up in the morning is trying to figure out what is going to happen.

Madeleine Albright
We live in an image society. Speeches are not what anybody cares about; what they care about is the picture.

We live in an image society. Speeches are not what anybody cares about; what they care about is the picture.

Madeleine Albright
Life is grim, and we don't have to be grim all the time.

Life is grim, and we don't have to be grim all the time.

Madeleine Albright
One of the things that was really an issue was I did not want to just be a woman secretary of state. I wanted to be a secretary of a state who was a woman, but not just chosen for that particular reason.

One of the things that was really an issue was I did not want to just be a woman secretary of state. I wanted to be a secretary of a state who was a woman, but not just chosen for that particular reason.

Madeleine Albright

I do believe that in order to be a successful negotiator that as a diplomat, you have to be able to put yourself into the other person's shoes. Unless you can understand what is motivating them, you are never going to be able to figure out how to solve a particular problem.

Madeleine Albright