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It is an ambassador's duty to stand up for his nation's…

“It is an ambassador's duty to stand up for his nation's foreign policy in any era and under any government whatsoever. Ambassadors are, in the full meaning of the term, titled spies.” quote by Napoleon Bonaparte
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“It is an ambassador's duty to stand up for his nation's foreign policy in any era and under any government whatsoever. Ambassadors are, in the full meaning of the term, titled spies.”

Napoleon Bonaparte

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ambassadors must defend their nation's policy regardless of regime, and they act as covert intelligence agents.

In simple terms: Ambassadors defend policy and gather secrets.

Key Takeaway

Defend policy, gather intel.

Themes

duty politics espionage

Mood

serious reflective

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

  • foreign negotiations
  • crisis diplomacy
  • intelligence gathering

Key Concepts

sovereignty information gathering ethical ambiguity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do ambassadors reconcile public duty with covert roles?
  • When does espionage become unethical?
A Different Perspective

Balancing openness with secrecy can erode trust.

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