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Diplomacy Quotes


"That's exactly where they send entry-level diplomats. After you cut your teeth on a few civil wars and a famine or two, you might get lucky and be given a plum post somewhere in the SECOND World."


"I think if I had to do it over again, I'd do it the same way. I would just put more resources into getting the public diplomacy part much stronger than we were able to."


"Widowhood had done nothing to curb my smart mouth. So much for diplomacy."


"We are hopeful that the North Koreans can show a little bit more realism, a little bit more flexibility."


"(A Foreign Secretary) is forever poised between the cliche and the indiscretion."


"Modern diplomats approach every problem with an open mouth."


"In the world of diplomacy, some things are better left unsaid."


"The only summit meeting that can succeed is the one that does not take place."


"I'm a junkie. I like drugs, I like the whole lifestyle, but it just didn't pay off."


"Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop."



"Trotsky rises to give me his hand, then sits at his desk, gently allowing his regard to light on my person."


"There is no greater success as when you turn your enemy into your ally."


"Again, I think we have much greater diplomatic weight by having all of us sit on the same side of the table wanting the same thing, and putting it to the North Koreans."


"It's proper and appropriate to remind the Chinese about what they get out of solid relations with the United States."


"Voices were heard from the United States of America which made it clear that America wanted a peaceful and united Europe as a basis for mutual cooperation."


"American presidents always avoid shaking hands with brutal dictators, except when it's advantageous to do so."


"When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home."


"This is the devilish thing about foreign affairs: they are foreign and will not always conform to our whim."


"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."


"For too long, Japan has been dragging its feet as it ignores the steps the U.S. has made to ensure a safe beef supply and shows a disregard for our prior trade pacts."


"He is forever poised between a cliche and an indiscretion."


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


"A peace talk is always difficult, always complicated."


"Japan is dealing us a dead hand. For two years we have watched the Japanese drag their feet and we can't let them continue to slam the door in our faces."


"Many hard comments have been made on my efforts in India from the side of the Congress party, yet I feel content in the deep conviction that the offer I traveled 22,000 miles to discuss with Indian leaders was a real contribution to a solution of our differences."


"Diplomacy is not an end in itself if it does not advance U.S. interests."


"In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together."


"This is the very devilish thing about foreign affairs: they are foreign and will not always conform to our whim."


"Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations...entangling alliances with none."


"They enlarged the domains of commerce by treaties with all nations, upon the great principle of equal justice to all nations, and special favors to none."


"Like Prince von Bismarck in diplomacy, I have no secrets."


"Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way."


"You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too."


"You weren't able to talk sense into him?"Well, we kind of tried to kill each other in a duel to the death."I see. You tried the diplomatic approach."


"Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity."
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