“Amazing what the British do with language; the nuances of politeness. The world's great diplomats, surely.”

“British diplomats, constantly exposed to American political-ethical rhetoric, find their professional skills tested to the limits by the need to keep a straight face. For illustrations of what I mean, study the photographs of the expressions worn by Mr Douglas Hurd at any international conference involving all the Western allies.”

“In our country for all her greatness there is one thing she cannot do and that is translate a person wholly out of one class into another. Perfect translation from one language into another is impossible. Class is the British language.”

“Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.”

“How is the world ruled and how do wars start? Diplomats tell lies to journalists and then believe what they read.”

“Politics is ugly. Never doubt what small men will do for great power.”