Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.
Diplomacy is the lowest form of politeness because it misquotes the greatest number of people. A nation, like an individual, if it has anything to say, should simply say it.
I want to stay away from politics, or else I'll probably end up putting my size fifteen foot into my mouth.
Persuasion is better than force.
I think everyone holds back. I am always censoring myself and I'm sorry about it. But I always have to consider whether my remarks might cause someone pain.
Difficulties melt away under tact.
If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble, and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power.
An American diplomat is sometimes like a bull who carries his own china shop around with him.
Keep skid chains on your tongue. Say less than you think. Cultivate a pleasant voice. How you say it is often more important than what you say.
I hold it to be of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and insulting words towards any one, for neither the one nor the other in any way diminishes the strength of the enemy; but the one makes him more cautious, and the other increases his hatred of you, and makes him more persevering in his efforts to injure you
I choose my words very delicately because I have a divided society.
I tried to be diplomatic, but mostly I just lied a lot.
Orientals, and the Malays in particular, are a sensitive people: delicacy of sentiment is predominant with them.
In politics you'll never get into trouble by not saying too much.
If you want to influence people, you want them to accept your suggestions, you don't say, 'You don't know how to use the English language,' or 'How could you make that argument?' It will be welcomed much more if you have a gentle touch than if you are aggressive.
Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice Doggie!” till you can find a rock.
I hold it to be a proof of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and insulting words toward anyone, for neither diminishes the strength of the enemy.
Listen! Say less rather than more. If you want to be smart, play stupid!
One must ease the public into it - that's an art in itself.
Diplomacy: the art of jumping into troubled waters without making a splash.
As a person, I'm incredibly overfamiliar. I have to be careful what I say!
I think at times I have to be careful not to stick my foot in my mouth and not to have the pedal to the metal at all times, because that can hurt me as a quarterback.
In our interactions with people, a benevolent hypocrisy is frequently required--acting as though we do not see through the motivesof their actions.
There is no diplomacy like silence.
Diplomacy is more than saying or doing the right things at the right time, it is avoiding saying or doing the wrong things at any time.
