My alternative to American superpower is the UN and I might add when China becomes the worlds greatest superpower you will need it too.

The Civil Service is a bit like a rusty weathercock. It moves with opinion then it stays where it is until another wind moves it in a different direction

Making mistakes is how you learn.

I think if journalists were responsible for international policy we'd have a nuclear war every week.

Parliamentary democracy is, in truth, little more than a means of securing a periodical change in the management team, which is then allowed to preside over a system that remains in essence intact. If the British people were ever to ask themselves what power they truly enjoyed under our political system they would be amazed to discover how little it is

I try to operate on two unconnected levels. One on the practical level of action in which I am extremely cautious and conservative. The second is the realm of ideas where I try to be very free

I think very often the boat-rockers turn out to be the people who are building the craft