Quotes About Diplomacy

When you wish to obtain some concession from a man's self-love, you must avoid even the appearance of wishing to wound it." "I

Speak on, madame, speak on, Queen, said Buckingham; the sweetness of your voice covers the harshness of your words.

When you wish to obtain some concession from a man's self-love, you must avoid even the appearance of wishing to wound it.

In politica, mio caro, lo sapete quanto me, non ci sono uomini ma idee; non sentimenti ma interessi; in politica non si uccide un uomo: si elimina un ostacolo, ecco tutto.

Mijn jongen, je weet net zo goed als ik dat er in de politiek geen mensen bestaan, maar principes. Geen gevoelens, maar belangen. In de politiek ruim je geen mens op, je ruimt een hinderpaal uit de weg, punt.

Jefferson went still further, and he introduced a maxim into the policy of the Union, which affirms that the Americans ought never to solicit any privileges from foreign nations, in order not to be obliged to grant similar privileges themselves.

A government which should only be able to crush its enemies upon a field of battle would very soon be destroyed.

If kings and peoples had only had their true interests in view ever since the beginning of the world, the name of war would scarcely be known among mankind.

There are fighting generals (vital to an army), political generals (vital to an administration), and public relations generals (vital to a war).

She was not so forbearing when it came to bad breath. After receiving one French envoy, she exclaimed, 'Good God! What shall I do if this man stay here, for I smell him an hour after he has gone!' Her words were reported back to the envoy, who at once betook himself back to France in shame.

One French ambassador, having witnessed the royal temper, confided, 'When I see her enraged against any person whatever, I wish myself in Calcutta, fearing her anger like death

If we all spoke the truth there would be a great deal of unhappiness in the world, and particularly at such a time. Some things are better left unsaid.

Peace in international affairs: a period of cheating between periods of fighting

War: A by-product of the arts of peace.

An ambassador is a person who having failed to secure an office from the people is given an office by the Administration on condition that he leave the country.

DIPLOMACY, n. The patriotic art of lying for one's country.

BATTLE, n. A method of untying with the teeth of a political knot that would not yield to the tongue.

GUNPOWDER, n. An agency employed by civilized nations for the settlement of disputes which might become troublesome if left unadjusted. By most writers the invention of gunpowder is ascribed to the Chinese, but not upon very convincing evidence. Milton says it was invented by the devil to dispel angels with, and this opinion seems to derive some support from the scarcity of angels.

CANNON, n. An instrument employed in the rectification of national boundaries.

PROJECTILE, n. The final arbiter in international disputes. Formerly these disputes were settled by physical contact of the disputants, with such simple arguments as the rudimentary logic of the times could supply—the sword, the spear, and so forth. With the growth of prudence in military affairs the projectile came more and more into favor, and is now held in high esteem by the most courageous. Its capital defect is that it requires personal attendance at the point of propulsion.

when merchants and traders begin to run wars – hundreds of lives depend on bribes.

Just keep your mouth shut and smile. That's always good advice.' Jezal

You can always make enemies of your friends,' said Sumael. 'Making friends of your enemies is harder labor.

War is but the pricking point of politics.