I still remember one of my first encounters with Donald Rumsfeld. I had recently relocated to Washington, D.C. and spent some time working in his office. We were discussing something not all that pertinent. Responding to a question, I began, "Quite honestly." He interrupted me.

"Nick, don't preface something you say with 'quite honestly.' It assumes everything you said before that wasn't honest." Rumsfeld flashed his toothy grin and we went on about our day.