“Only professional diplomats, inveterate idiots and women view diplomacy as a long-term substitute for war.”

“Oh, diplomacy," said M.D., in his element, "it mops up war's spillages; legitimizes its outcomes; gives the strong state the means to impose its will on a weaker one, while saving its fleets and battalions for weightier opponents.”

“Ambassadors are idiots who possess only one skill: outkowtowing one another at official functions.”

“If losers can exploit what their adversaries teach them, yes, losers can become winners in the long term.”

“She has to lose her pre-Copernican view of a universe revolving around herself.”

“He sifts the radio waves, but it's all men singing like women and women singing like men...”

“Wars do not combust without warning. They begin as little fires over the horizon. Wars approach. A wise man watches for the smoke, and prepares to vacate the neighborhood just like Ayrs and Jocasta. My worry is that the next war will be so big, nowhere with a decent restaurant will be left untouched.”