“Ambassadors are, in the full meaning of the term, titled spies.”
“The heart of the art of diplomacy is to grant graciously what you no longer have the power to withhold.”
“Diplomacy… means the art of nearly deceiving all your friends, but not quite deceiving all your enemies.”
“Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice Doggie!’ till you can find a rock.”
“A man-of-war is the best ambassador.”
“All diplomacy is a continuation of war by other means.”
“A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.”
“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.”
“Diplomacy is to do and say / The nastiest thing in the nicest way.”
“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.”
“Abiguity… is the stuff of diplomacy.”
“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.”
“An Ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his Country.”