statesmanship

[T]here cannot be a more certain symptom of the approaching ruin of a State than when a firm adherence to party is fixed upon as the only test of merit, and all the qualifications requisite to a right discharge of every employment, are reduced to that single standard.

He had been around politicians for a long time, and he was prepared for some outburst.

Politics look very simple to the outsider whether he is a businessman or a soldier _ it is only when you get into it that all the angles and hard work become apparent. James Forrestal

The author defines professionalism as exemplified by his subjects in their mutual unwillingness to take expected opposition personally. They would not allow grudges to get in the way of more important business.

An anti-politician is hardly an anti-politician once he starts winning and works to close the deal by working to sew up the Establishment.

Diplomacy's primary law: LEAVE ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION.

Statesmen should remember that they have been elected to persuade and to lead, and not just to accept as fixed the momentary moods and pernicious prejudices of the public.

Help yourself with the state! It's on democracy!

I would rather contend with an honest asshole than a duplicitous diplomat.

I am a Conservative to preserve all that is good in our constitution, a Radical to remove all that is bad. I seek to preserve property and to respect order, and I equally decry the appeal to the passions of the many or the prejudices of the few.

Nine-nine of every hundred among you probably desire peace, while the balance may hold war a condition to be preferred; but what can be the mental norm of statesmanship where such a minority conquer the peace-lovers?

Learn to think continentally.

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world - as far I mean as we are now at liberty to do it.

You can always get the truth from an American statesman after he has turned seventy or given up all hope of the Presidency.

Peace commerce and honest friendship with all nations - entangling alliances with none.

An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the commonwealth.

Ambassadors are the eye and ear of states.

This isn't about your reputation. Our job right now is to make sure that there to ARE future historians.