Quotes About Diplomacy

Never argue. In society nothing must be discussed; give only results. (Benjamin Disraeli, 1804–1881)

In a speech Abraham Lincoln delivered at the height of the Civil War, he referred to the Southerners as fellow human beings who were in error. An elderly lady chastised him for not calling them irreconcilable enemies who must be destroyed. "Why, madam," Lincoln replied, "do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?

The Athenians were one of the most eminently practical people in history, and they made the most practical argument they could with the Melians: When you are weaker, there is nothing to be gained by fighting a useless fight. No one comes to help the weak—by doing so they would only put themselves in jeopardy. The weak are alone and must submit. Fighting gives you nothing to gain but martyrdom, and in the process a lot of people who do not believe in your cause will die.

Napoleon advised: Place your iron hand inside a velvet glove.

There is nothing to be gained by insulting a person unnecessarily. Swallow the impulse to offend, even if the other person seems weak. The satisfaction is meager compared to the danger that someday he or she will be in a position to hurt you.

You destroy an enemy when you make a friend of him.

Never criticize people overtly—that will make them insecure, and resistant to change. Plant ideas, insinuate suggestions. Charmed by your diplomatic skills, people will not notice your growing power.

War and the threat of war stimulate speculation upon the conditions of peace.

It's not actually that hard to be an expert on Iran. You only need to know two phrases: I don't know and it depends.

How can I be 100 percent honest with Chris, and at the same time be 100 percent respectful?

When you're attacked in a negotiation, pause and avoid angry emotional reactions. Instead, ask your counterpart a calibrated question.

Tell me where you want it," I said. Minias drew back, his purple robes shifting about his ankles. "You're asking me?" "Well, unless you want a big R on your forehead.

Listen before you draw your battle lines, lest you alienate your allies.

Quen said. "Listen before you draw your battle lines, lest you alienate your allies.

Best to strip all statements of real content, this was a basic law of diplomacy.

It's stupid because it makes the assumption that your enemies are weaker than you, and will do what you want if you murder a few of them. But people aren't like that. I mean, think about how it will fall out. You go down that canyon and kill a bunch of people doing their jobs, and later other people come along and find the bodies. They'll hate you forever. Even if you do take over Mars someday they'll still hate you, and do anything they can to screw things up.

It was a mistake to speak one's mind at any time, unless it perfectly matched your political purpose; and it never did. Best to strip all statements of real content, this was the basic law of diplomacy.

having a bad reputation or none at all is a serious handicap for a state seeking to remain competitive in the international arena. The unbranded state has a difficult time attracting economic and political attention.

Just hear me out. While you were napping, I was busy chatting up our allies. Didn't you know--your woman's a golden-tongued ambassador! My sisters always said I graduated from the shock-and-awe school of diplomacy, but joke 'em if they can't take a fuck, right?

Court jester or ambassador. Same difference. Either way you entertain the king.

Patel reportedly offered Kashmir to Pakistan in exchange for Hyderabad's accession to New Delhi. Liaquat Ali was inclined to accept, not knowing when the elusive Kashmir would be Pakistan's. Patel and Liaquat Ali were on the same wavelength. The former was not interested in Kashmir and the latter disinterested in Hyderabad.

Politicians were creatures controlled by passion and it was most effective to quietly absorb that energy without actually giving ground.

The relationship between Israel and the United States is a bond of - it's just a very powerful bond. It was, it is, and will be and will continue to be.

I believe he [Saddam Hussein] wants a better relationship with America.