Wise Words
Diplomacy
“Ambassadors are, in the full meaning of the term, titled spies.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, (1769–1821), French military and political leader, & Emperor
“The heart of the art of diplomacy is to grant graciously what you no longer have the power to withhold.”
Edmund Burke, (1729–1797), Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist, & philosopher
“Diplomacy… means the art of nearly deceiving all your friends, but not quite deceiving all your enemies.”
Kofi Busia, (1913–1978), Prime Minister of Ghana
“Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice Doggie!’ till you can find a rock.”
Wynn Catlin
“A man-of-war is the best ambassador.”
Oliver Cromwell, (1599–1658), English military & political leader
“All diplomacy is a continuation of war by other means.”
Chou En-Lai, (1898–1976), 1st Premier of the People's Republic of China
“A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.”
Robert Frost, (1874–1963), American poet
“There are few ironclad rules of diplomacy but to one there is no exception. When an official reports that talks were useful, it can safely be concluded that nothing was accomplished.”
John Kenneth Galbraith, (1908–2006), Canadian-American economist
“Diplomacy is to do and say / The nastiest thing in the nicest way.”
Isaac Goldberg, (1887–1938), American journalist, author, editor, publisher, & lecturer
“Do you know why everybody wants to be an ambassador? It’s because when an ambassador walks down the corridor of his embassy, everybody kisses his ass.”
Philip Habib, (1920–1992), Arab-American career diplomat
“Abiguity… is the stuff of diplomacy.”
Henry Kissinger, German-born American political scientist & diplomat
“A diplomat… is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.”
Caskie Stinnett, American editor & writer
“An Ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his Country.”
Sir Henry Wotton, (1568–1639), English author & diplomat
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