“Diplomats are only useful in fair weather. As soon as it rains, they drown in every drop.”

(-; a fairly accurate depiction of the defined office ;-)

Mindless babble you'd expect from a class bully not a world leader.

Politicians think about the next election, Statesmen think about the next generation. We could do without the Politicians and the Diplomats. They can both be replaced with a higher nobility of Statesmen.

The democrat congress got rid of John Bolton as our ambassador to the UN. They said he is a "bully!" Just what is it they want? Someone who gives in to everyone!

Anonymous, Reston, VA, US; I'm not a fan and, my description of DeGaulle would be less than flattering but, how does that relate to a thumbs down on the quote? A diplomat by definition is "a representative of a government who conducts relations with the governments of other nations;" When bombs start dropping (like rain) civil relations cease. Your vitriolic comments are consistent, by disparaging the character of the messenger, you attempt to devalue the message. Again, would you please explain how the quote is mindless babble. (you don't need to rate the quote again, like me, I haven't rated twice, just commented twice)

He should know especially while hiding in Britain during WWll - Diplomats are privileged clerks of the ruling class.

I like the statement from J Carlton...because it says more...and has more meaning.