Toughie, Smoothy, Striver, Spy: BOB GATES

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On the wall only a few feet in front of his desk is an aphorism, the source of which Gates has forgotten. "The easiest way to achieve complete strategic surprise," it reads, "is to commit an act that makes no sense or is even self-destructive." Gates says he finds this a useful admonition when trying to understand the Saddam Husseins of the world. He hopes to take it with him when he returns to the CIA.