top of page
Diplomacy Quotes


"Our strategic dialogue with China can both protect American interests and uphold our principles, provided we are honest about our differences on human rights and other issues and provided we use a mix of targeted incentives and sanctions to narrow these differences."


"Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? Is it a legacy of our colonial years? We want foreign television sets. We want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported?"


"Economic sanctions rarely achieve the desired results."


"I was a member of the Politburo for seven years, a foreign minister."


"I think my resignation was the only way to avoid bloodshed."


"Prospects of normalizing our relations with Russia look good."


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


"Having viewed Europe as an extension and projection of itself, France now finds Europe developing a mind and identity of its own which embraces France but is not controlled by France."


"The League is very well when sparrows shout, but no good at all when eagles fall out."


"From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."


"I don't think that anybody should be ruling in or ruling out anything while we are conducting diplomacy."


"The world will not accept dictatorship or domination."


"Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne."


"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."


"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."


"I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders."


"We think it will be shortly afterwards, but it seems a terrible thing to gamble with such big stakes in diplomacy without having your master card in your hand."


"Diplomacy is not an end in itself if it does not advance U.S. interests."


"American presidents always avoid shaking hands with brutal dictators, except when it's advantageous to do so."


"A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron."


"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."


"When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home."


"We are hopeful that the North Koreans can show a little bit more realism, a little bit more flexibility."


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


"America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy."


"In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together."


"A peace talk is always difficult, always complicated."


"Like Prince von Bismarck in diplomacy, I have no secrets."


"Trotsky rises to give me his hand, then sits at his desk, gently allowing his regard to light on my person."


"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."


"(A Foreign Secretary) is forever poised between the cliche and the indiscretion."


"Players have a great deal of flexibility when conducting diplomatic relations with their allies."
bottom of page