Negotiation in the classic diplomatic sense assumes parties more anxious to agree than to disagree.

The great corrupter of public men is the ego - corrupter because distracter. Wealth, sensuality, power cannot hold a candle to it. Looking in the mirror distracts one's attention from the problem.

The test for aid to poor nations is therefore whether it makes them capable of being productive. If it fails to do so, it is likely to make them even poorer in the - not so very - long run.

To leave positions of great responsibility and authority is to die a little, but the time comes when that must be faced.

I think Churchill is right, the only thing to be said for democracy is that there is nothing else that's any better, and therefore he used to say, Tyranny tempered by assassination, but lots of assassination. People say, If the Congress were more representative of the people it would be better. I say the Congress is too damn representative. It's just as stupid as the people are; just as uneducated, just as dumb, just as selfish.

I have a curious and apprehensive feeling as I watch JFK that he is sort of an Indian snake charmer.

Controversial proposals, once accepted, soon become hallowed.