Peter Ustinov Quotes

When the envoys of Western countries come to the foreign office, they no longer behave in a courteous manner; they shout abuse at the drop of a hat.

Modern diplomats approach every problem with an open mouth.

My father had been in the German Diplomatic Service, and although he had been in the United States since World War II and out of diplomacy, it was something that was very much talked about in the family. So when I went to college, it was always my intention to try to get into the Foreign Service.

The old diplomat liked to move with deliberation, in secret, following well-established traditions and working through what he loved to describe as "the usual channels". To him, the open debate carried on, not by professional diplomats, but by politicians and statesmen having little regard for the use of the technical phraseology of diplomacy and intent merely on reaching results which would make diplomacy unnecessary, was offensive to all his instincts.

You say different things to a foreign country in public than you say in public.

In most cases, cables are marked secret not because the U.S. requires it but because those speaking to us - the foreign leaders across the table - do. They are not keeping secrets from us, but from two other groups: their enemies and their subjects.

Diplomats were invented simply to waste time.

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

My diplomatic position will not consist of going and kneeling down in front of George Bush.

The function of a briefing paper is to prevent the ambassador from saying something dreadfully indiscreet. I sometimes think its true object is to prevent the ambassador from saying anything at all.

If you operate any kind of major diplomacy, you must run some risk.

A pupil of diplomacy has to learn three things: to speak French, to speak nothing, and to speak falsehood.

Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice Doggie!” till you can find a rock.

There isn't any rule in diplomacy that can't be broken.... There are times when diplomatic principles should be violated, but when you violate them you ought to know you're violating them.

When the President picks up the phone and calls the Prime Minister, what does it mean to be an ambassador?

I must say I hate our diplomats. I think with few exceptions they are arrogant humbugs and I expect they know it.

There was no authority with which diplomacy could deal.

Tell the Arch-Duchess that she may boss her own immigrants, but she can't boss the American consul.

I have no disposition to withhold any information which the duty of my station will permit, or the public good shall require to be disclosed: and in fact, all the Papers affecting the negotiation with Great Britain were laid before the Senate, when the Treaty itself was communicated for their consideration and advice

Cool, realistic diplomats are prepared to try to negotiate with any type of regime whenever the national interest calls for it; the last thing that should ever be done to turn emotional or "demonize" another foreign leader no matter how nasty he may be.

We must be careful about speech writers making foreign policy.

Words matter in foreign policy—even empty words.

The diplomat sits in silence, watching the world with his ears.

The language of any joint statement between two countries is mulled over many times before it becomes final.

I think there is a diplomatic stance that would fit me and I will stick to my own style, while also seeking assistance from the Foreign Ministry.