One of the little-celebrated powers of Presidents (and other high government officials) is to listen to their critics with just enough sympathy to ensure their silence.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
There are few ironclad rules of diplomacy but to one there is no exception. When an official reports that talks were useful, it can safely be concluded that nothing was accomplished.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Diplomatic talks often yield minimal results, despite official reports suggesting otherwise.
This quote by John Kenneth Galbraith highlights a common skepticism in the realm of diplomacy. It suggests that even when officials claim discussions have been productive, it is typically an indication that no significant progress has been made. This reflects the often superficial nature of diplomatic engagements where appearances may be prioritized over substantive outcomes.
Themes
DiplomacyPoliticsCommunicationNegotiationResults
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about international relations, one might say, 'As Galbraith wisely noted, when officials declare talks as useful, we often find that little has actually changed.'
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People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage.
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