--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A foreign minister, I will maintain it…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/lord-chesterfield-757_amusement_a-foreign-minister-i-will-maintain-it-ca_1785410.jpg" --- # 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…” quote by Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/lord-chesterfield-757_amusement_a-foreign-minister-i-will-maintain-it-ca_1785410.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/lord-chesterfield-757_amusement_a-foreign-minister-i-will-maintain-it-ca_1785410.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/lord-chesterfield-757_amusement_a-foreign-minister-i-will-maintain-it-ca_1785410.jpg) > “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.” [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agreeable Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreeable-man-1157145/) [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [Assembly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assembly/) [Balls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balls/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Foreign Minister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreign-minister-1039390/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Intrigue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intrigue/) [Man Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-business/) [Man Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-pleasure-543178/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Ministers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ministers/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Pleasures Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasures-views-1898221/) [Supper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supper/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/there-is-a-certain-jargon-which-in-french-i-should-call-un-persiflage/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“I believe, there is scarcely a young lady in the united kingdoms, who would not rather put up with the misfortune of being sought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-believe-there-is-scarcely-a-young-lady-in-the-united-kingdoms-who/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“You must be the best judge of your own happiness. If you prefer Mr. Martin to every other person; if you think him the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/you-must-be-the-best-judge-of-your-own-happiness-if-you-prefer-mr/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [A lively and agreeable man has not only the merit of liveliness and agreeableness himself, but that also of awakening them in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/a-lively-and-agreeable-man-has-not-only-the-merit-of-liveliness-and/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [A man who cannot command his temper, his attention, and his countenance should not think of being a man of business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-man-who-cannot-command-his-temper-his-attention-and-his-countenance/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [A man who cannot command his temper should not think of being a man in business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-man-who-cannot-command-his-temper-should-not-think-of-being-a-man/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I am convinced that a light supper, a good night's sleep, and a fine morning, have sometimes made a hero of the same man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-am-convinced-that-a-light-supper-a-good-night-s-sleep-and-a-fine/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [As foreign minister I cannot allow myself to be guided by emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guido-westerwelle/as-foreign-minister-i-cannot-allow-myself-to-be-guided-by-emotions/) [Guido Westerwelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guido-westerwelle/) > [The Israel legendary foreign minister, Abba Eban, used to say that the Palestinians had never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-barak/the-israel-legendary-foreign-minister-abba-eban-used-to-say-that-the/) [Ehud Barak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-barak/) > [We have a prime minister, I'm the foreign minister, I'm trying to get on with the job of doing Australia's foreign policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rudd/we-have-a-prime-minister-i-m-the-foreign-minister-i-m-trying-to-get/) [Kevin Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rudd/) > [I want to become foreign minister of India one day and then President of India.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farooq-abdullah/i-want-to-become-foreign-minister-of-india-one-day-and-then-president/) [Farooq Abdullah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farooq-abdullah/) > [As Foreign Minister, I worked to strengthen the cooperation with Israel, and now, as Chancellor, I have more opportunities do this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/as-foreign-minister-i-worked-to-strengthen-the-cooperation-with/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [We are apt to say that a foreign policy is successful only when the country, or at any rate the governing class, is united…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-p-taylor/we-are-apt-to-say-that-a-foreign-policy-is-successful-only-when-the/) [A. J. P. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-p-taylor/) > [Each government minister views the circumstances of each issue differently. An interior minister has a different view of visa liberalization than does a foreign…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/each-government-minister-views-the-circumstances-of-each-issue/) [Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/) > [“the aging diplomat sits down at the desk of French foreign minister Charles Gravier, the”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/the-aging-diplomat-sits-down-at-the-desk-of-french-foreign-minister/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) ## More by Lord Chesterfield > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [No woman ever yet either reasoned or acted long together consequentially; but some little thing, some love, some resentment, somepresent momentary interest, some supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/no-woman-ever-yet-either-reasoned-or-acted-long-together/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-am-in-the-pitiable-situation-of-feeling-all-the-force-of-temptation/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/mankind-is-made-up-of-inconsistencies-and-no-man-acts-invariably-up/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/compliments-of-congratulation-are-always-kindly-taken-and-cost/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/the-insolent-civility-of-a-proud-man-is-if-possible-more-shocking/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/secret-thoughts-and-an-open-countenance-will-take-you-safely-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value: but if they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their luster:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/virtue-and-learning-like-gold-have-their-intrinsic-value-but-if-they/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/knowledge-is-a-comfortable-and-necessary-retreat-and-shelter-for-us/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Promptness is the soul of business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/promptness-is-the-soul-of-business/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Style is the dress of thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/style-is-the-dress-of-thoughts/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-commonly-said-that-ridicule-is-the-best-test-of-truth-for-that/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/there-is-hardly-any-place-or-any-company-where-you-may-not-gain/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/assurance-and-intrepidity-under-the-white-banner-of-seeming-modesty/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/many-a-man-would-rather-you-heard-his-story-than-grant-his-request/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) [Explore all 378 Lord Chesterfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## More Amusement quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Every producer in Hollywood had set me down as a type. I was both amused and disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/every-producer-in-hollywood-had-set-me-down-as-a-type-i-was-both/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/) [Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/) > [Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-does-not-consist-in-pastimes-and-amusements-but-in-virtuous/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Ordinary people simply don't know what books mean to us, shut up here. Reading, learning, and the radio are our amusements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ordinary-people-simply-don-t-know-what-books-mean-to-us-shut-up-here/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [The Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-stoics-say-retire-within-yourselves-it-is-there-you-will-find/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [I like these boots," I told Vayl. "Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine." "Since when do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/i-like-these-boots-i-told-vayl-do-you-think-they-d-sell-them-to-me/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [It has to be now,” he insisted, a flick of amusement in his voice. He nudged his burgeoning loins against her. “After all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-has-to-be-now-he-insisted-a-flick-of-amusement-in-his-voice-he/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/act-as-if-the-universe-is-a-prodigious-miracle-created-for-your/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [Amusement that is excessive and followed only for its own sake, allures and deceives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/amusement-that-is-excessive-and-followed-only-for-its-own-sake/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 567 Amusement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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. 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