Statesmanship

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation?--Why quit
our own to stand upon foreign ground?--Why by interweaving read more

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation?--Why quit
our own to stand upon foreign ground?--Why by interweaving our
destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and
prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship,
interest, humour or caprice?

An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the
commonwealth.
[Lat., Legatus est vir bonus read more

An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the
commonwealth.
[Lat., Legatus est vir bonus peregre missus ad mentiendem rei
publicae causae.]

Tell the truth, and so puzzle and confound your adversaries.

Tell the truth, and so puzzle and confound your adversaries.

The statesman cannot govern without stability of belief, true or
false.

The statesman cannot govern without stability of belief, true or
false.

If you wish to preserve your secret wrap it up in frankness.

If you wish to preserve your secret wrap it up in frankness.

And lives to clutch the golden keys,
To mould a mighty state's decrees,
And shape the whisper read more

And lives to clutch the golden keys,
To mould a mighty state's decrees,
And shape the whisper of the throne.

And statesmen at her council met
Who knew the seasons when to take
Occasion by the hand, read more

And statesmen at her council met
Who knew the seasons when to take
Occasion by the hand, and make
The bounds of freedom wider yet.

Why don't you show us a statesman who can rise up to the
emergency, and cave in the emergency's read more

Why don't you show us a statesman who can rise up to the
emergency, and cave in the emergency's head.

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with
any portion of the foreign world--so far, I read more

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with
any portion of the foreign world--so far, I mean, as we are now
at liberty to do it.

I have the courage of my opinions, but I have not the temerity to
give a political blank cheque read more

I have the courage of my opinions, but I have not the temerity to
give a political blank cheque to Lord Salisbury.