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Diplomacy Quotes
"If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers."
49
"Once the Xerox copier was invented, diplomacy died."
48
"Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop."
48
"You learn, just as you learn good manners, how to approach things with a certain amount of diplomacy."
48
"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."
47
"Palestinian and Israeli leaders finally recover the Road Map to Peace, only to discover that, while they were looking for it, the Lug Nuts of Mutual Interest came off the Front Left Wheel of Accommodation, causing the Sport Utility Vehicle of Progress to crash into the Ditch of Despair."
47
"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."
45
"In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together."
45
"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough."
45
"The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible."
45
"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."
44
"Peace: in international affairs a period of cheating between two periods of fighting."
43
"We are hopeful that the North Koreans can show a little bit more realism, a little bit more flexibility."
42
"The only summit meeting that can succeed is the one that does not take place."
41
"There is no greater success as when you turn your enemy into your ally."
41
"He is forever poised between a cliche and an indiscretion."
41
"It's proper and appropriate to remind the Chinese about what they get out of solid relations with the United States."
41
"Diplomacy is not an end in itself if it does not advance U.S. interests."
40
"This is the devilish thing about foreign affairs: they are foreign and will not always conform to our whim."
40
"In the world of diplomacy, some things are better left unsaid."
40
"This is the very devilish thing about foreign affairs: they are foreign and will not always conform to our whim."
39
"(A Foreign Secretary) is forever poised between the cliche and the indiscretion."
39
"But the United States did not keep its word. Is an American's word reliable these days?"
39
"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."
38
"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."
37
"Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way."
36
"I'm a junkie. I like drugs, I like the whole lifestyle, but it just didn't pay off."
36
"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."
34
"Like Prince von Bismarck in diplomacy, I have no secrets."
33
"American presidents always avoid shaking hands with brutal dictators, except when it's advantageous to do so."
31
"Modern diplomats approach every problem with an open mouth."
31
"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."
31
"Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations...entangling alliances with none."
26
"British diplomats and Anglo-American types in Washington have a near-superstitious prohibition on uttering the words 'Special Relationship' to describe relations between Britain and America, lest the specialness itself vanish like a phantom at cock-crow."
24
"Remember these, Sons! Truth presented with tenderness enriches the soul of man and enhances humanity in the process. A Franco-Cameroonian relation based on truth and nurtured with tenderness will be to the benefit not only of Kamerun and France, but also of mankind as a whole."
23
"It is easier to start a war than to end it."
23
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