Sometimes I wish I could just fall in love. Then, at least you know who your opponent is.

In my day, there were things that were done, and things that were not done, and there was even a way of doing things that were not done.

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.

I'm convinced there's a small room in the attic of the Foreign Office where future diplomats are taught to stammer.

It is youth that has discovered love as a weapon.

The young need old men. They need men who are not ashamed of age, not pathetic imitations of themselves. ... Parents are the bones on which children sharpen their teeth.