There is a certain jargon, which, in French, I should call…
“There is a certain jargon, which, in French, I should call un Persiflage d'Affaires, that a foreign Minister ought to be perfectlymaster of, and may be used very advantageously at great entertainments, in mixed companies, and in all occasions where he must speak, and should say nothing. Well turned and well spoken, it seems to mean something, though in truth it means nothing. It is a kind of political badinage, which prevents or removes a thousand difficulties, to which a foreign Minister is exposed in mixed conversations.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A diplomat should master witty, superficial talk to navigate social settings without revealing substance.
In simple terms: Use clever talk to avoid saying anything important.
Key Takeaway
Speak skillfully, say little.
Themes
diplomacy
communication
politics
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- formal dinners
- political negotiations
- media interviews
- networking events
Key Concepts
rhetoric
social maneuvering
evasion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does empty rhetoric affect credibility?
- When is silence more powerful than speech?
A Different Perspective
May lead to mistrust if overused.