A real diplomat is one who can cut his neighbor's throat without having his neighbor notice it.

A real diplomat is one who can cut his neighbor's throat without having his neighbor notice it.

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

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

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

I never refuse. I contradict. I sometimes forget.

I never refuse. I contradict. I sometimes forget.

Diplomats were invented simply to waste time.

Diplomats were invented simply to waste time.

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie!" till you can find a rock.

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie!" till you can find a rock.

Conferences at the top level are always courteous. Name-calling is left to the foreign ministers.

Conferences at the top level are always courteous. Name-calling is left to the foreign ministers.

Once the Xerox copier was invented, diplomacy died.

Once the Xerox copier was invented, diplomacy died.

A diplomat these days is nothing but a head-waiter who's allowed to sit down occasionally.

A diplomat these days is nothing but a head-waiter who's allowed to sit down occasionally.