The very first thing the President [Truman] did was to show me the new Presidential Seal, which he had just redesigned. He explained, 'The seal has to go everywhere the President goes. It must be displayed upon the lectern when he speaks. The eagle used to face the arrows but I have re-designed it so that it now faces the olive branches ... what do you think?' I said, 'Mr. President, with the greatest respect, I would prefer the American eagle's neck to be on a swivel so that it could face the olive branches or the arrows, as the occasion might demand.'

Meeting Franklin Roosevelt was like opening your first bottle of champagne; knowing him was like drinking it.

It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.

Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.

Everyone can recognize history when it happens. Everyone can recognize history after is has happened; but only the wise man knows at the moment what is vital and permanent, what is lasting and memorable.

If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.

Nothing is won without enthusiasm.