British education is probably the best in the world, if you can survive it. If you can't there is nothing left for you but the diplomatic corps.

At my age, I'm often asked if I'm frightened of death and my reply is always, I can't remember being frightened of birth.

To live like a poor man is only fun when you are rich.

If Botticelli were alive today he'd be working for Vogue.

I had started by imitating a parrot, which is unusual, in that a parrot is supposed to imitate you. By taking the initiative you allow the parrot no alternative but to be itself, which proves again that attack is often the best defence.

American democracy is the inalienable right to sit on your front porch, in your pyjamas, drinking a can of beer and shouting out 'Where else is this possible?' Which doesn't seem to me to be freedom, really.

A diplomat these days is nothing but a head waiter who's allowed to sit down occasionally.