"Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take risks and that we know that we have the support of the government and we have the support of the American people in what we're doing."

"Today, I think the attitude is that governing is not necessarily good politics, and the result is that it's much more partisan and much more divided."

"After every major conflict - World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the fall of the Soviet Union - what happened was that we ultimately hollowed out the force, largely by doing deep across-the-board cuts."

"You know, as director of the CIA, I got an awful lot of intelligence about all the horrible things that could go on across the world."

"I am involved with politics today because of the inspiration I received from Ronald Reagan."

"Patriotism is an instant reaction that fades away when the war starts."

"To those of you who received honours, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be president of the United States."

"Morality is contraband in war."