Quotes About Diplomacy

war is not to be avoided, but is only to be put off to the advantage of others;

The prince who holds a country differing in the above respects ought to make himself the head and defender of his less powerful neighbours, and to weaken the more powerful amongst them, taking care that no foreigner as powerful as himself shall, by any accident, get a footing there. And the usual course of affairs is that, as soon as a powerful foreigner enters a country, all the subject states are drawn to him, moved by the hatred which they feel against the ruling power.

The Prince before its first legal publication in English in 1640

you must never fail to respond to trouble just to avoid war, because in the end you won't avoid it, you'll just be putting it off to your enemy's advantage.

que no debemos dejar nacer un desorden para evitar una guerra, pues acabamos no evitándola, y sólo la diferimos, lo que redunda a la postre en perjuicio nuestro.

the prince who holds a country differing in the above respects ought to make himself the head and defender of his powerful neighbours, and to weaken the more powerful amongst them, taking care that no foreigner as powerful as himself shall, by any accident

Taki ksi???, który boi siÄ™ bardziej swego ludu ni? obcych, powinien budowa? twierdzÄ™, natomiast powinien ich zaniecha? tej, który bardziej obawia siÄ™ obcych ni? ludu

A prince is also esteemed when he shows himself a true friend or a true enemy, that is, when, without reservation, he takes his stand with one side or the other. This is always wiser than trying to be neutral, for if two powerful neighbors of yours fall out they are either of such sort that the victor may give you reason to fear him or they are not. In either case it will be better for you to take sides and wage an honest war.

Florence which included diplomatic missions to various European courts.

at Florence which included diplomatic missions to various European courts. Imprisoned

Modern diplomats approach every problem with an open mouth.

Sometimes, my mouth can get the better of me.

The United States is a strong and ardent ally of Israel. The fact of the matter is that friends can disagree. I think what's important is that world leaders are able to sit down with one another, have frank conversations and move forward.

If I disagree with someone, I let them have their say and move on. I don't want to be the one to lecture.

Political movements and mega sporting events have always gone hand in hand. In 1980, there were Cold War boycotts in Moscow and again in 1984 during Los Angeles Games.

I'm concerned when certain movements or countries have been isolated from the international dialogue because then you have no way of influencing them.

One of the lessons learned in the Middle East is to never try to anticipate the other side's moves.

There are differences in the world community. But we have a common interest in a strong multilateral system.

I'm not a multilateralist against anybody. I'm a multilateralist because I believe in a multilateral order.

A diplomatic mission, like a company, is comprised of multiple departments, all of which must be relied upon to move business forward.

I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.

When it comes to the Sunnis and Shiites, it is not for the United States or for us or for anyone else to settle who was the heir of Muhammad. This is a Muslim and Arab problem, and they have to deal with it.

Middle Eastern Muslim countries are not only important for Afghanistan due to common culture and faith, but also because of economic benefits.

If this war makes anything clear, it is that Israel can do nothing to appease the Muslim animus against her.