A foreign minister, I will maintain it, can never be a…
“A foreign minister, I will maintain it, can never be a good man of business if he is not an agreeable man of pleasure too. Half his business is done by the help of his pleasures: his views are carried on, and perhaps best, and most unsuspectedly, at balls, suppers, assemblies, and parties of pleasure; by intrigues with women, and connections insensibly formed with men, at those unguarded hours of amusement.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A foreign minister must be sociable and enjoy pleasures to succeed, as informal gatherings influence politics.
In simple terms: Social charm and leisure are essential for diplomatic success.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate pleasant social habits.
Themes
politics
social skill
networking
Mood
strategic
pragmatic
Type
political
social
When to use this quote
- statecraft
- social events
- informal negotiations
- relationship building
Key Concepts
Diplomacy
influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How much should personal enjoyment affect public duty?
- Can informal settings undermine formal decision‑making?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure pursuits can distract from policy substance.