“ULTIMATUM, n. In diplomacy, a last demand before resorting to concessions. Having received an ultimatum from Austria, the Turkish Ministry met to consider it."O servant of the Prophet," said the Sheik of the Imperial Chibouk to the Mamoosh of the Invincible Army, "how many unconquerable soldiers have we in arms?""Upholder of the Faith," that dignitary replied after examining his memoranda, "they are in numbers as the leaves of the forest!""And how many impenetrable battleships strike terror to the hearts of all Christian swine?" he asked the Imaum of the Ever Victorious Navy."Uncle of the Full Moon," was the reply, "deign to know that they are as the waves of the ocean, the sands of the desert and the stars of Heaven!" For eight hours the broad brow of the Sheik of the Imperial Chibouk was corrugated with evidences of deep thought: he was calculating the chances of war. Then, "Sons of angels," he said, "the die is cast! I shall suggest to the Ulema of the Imperial Ear that he advise inaction. In the name of Allah, the council is adjourned."”
Ambrose Bierce
“Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.”
Will Rogers
“For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.”
George W. Bush
“The only real diplomacy ever performed by a diplomat is in deceiving their own people after their dumbness has got them into a war.”
“The principle of give and take is the principle of diplomacy - give one and take ten”
Mark Twain
“If you can't go around it, over it, or through it, you had better negotiate with it”
Ashleigh Brilliant
“Sincere diplomacy is no more possible than dry water or wooden iron”
Joseph Stalin
