--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After a moment’s thought, he opened the…" description: "\"“After a moment’s thought, he opened the diplomatic case and threw in an extra set of identification papers, under a Belgian passport. It had served hi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4c/stephen-england-10225_time_after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-d_2963230.jpg" --- # After a moment’s thought, he opened the diplomatic case… ![“After a moment’s thought, he opened the diplomatic case and threw in an extra set of identification papers, under a Belgian passport. It had served him well in the past and it never hurt to plan ahead. The case also contained his Colt .45, two loaded magazines, and a box of Federal Hydra-Shok…” quote by Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4c/stephen-england-10225_time_after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-d_2963230.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4c/stephen-england-10225_time_after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-d_2963230.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4c/stephen-england-10225_time_after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-d_2963230.jpg) > ““After a moment’s thought, he opened the diplomatic case and threw in an extra set of identification papers, under a Belgian passport. It had served him well in the past and it never hurt to plan ahead. The case also contained his Colt .45, two loaded magazines, and a box of Federal Hydra-Shok hollowpoints. Being able to carry the gun through security was one of the benefits of his diplomatic immunity. If he was forced to use it…well, that was another story”” [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) ## 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 uses his immunity to smuggle weapons, planning ahead for potential conflict. **In simple terms:** He hides a gun using diplomatic status. Key Takeaway Consider consequences of abusing privilege. Themes ethics power security Mood tense intriguing Type thriller political When to use this quote - political negotiations - personal protection - border crossings Key Concepts diplomacy law enforcement Questions to Reflect On - Is it ever justified to break the law for safety? - What are the risks of carrying weapons covertly? A Different Perspective Abusing immunity erodes trust in diplomatic systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Plan Ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plan-ahead/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“The diplomatic kids had a hectic sort of life, being constantly thrown from one end of the world to the other and always playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romain-gary/the-diplomatic-kids-had-a-hectic-sort-of-life-being-constantly-thrown/) [Romain Gary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romain-gary/) > [“We don’t have a writ to enter.” “But I have diplomatic immunity.” Ixtli found a window that was loose, and with some persuading, forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-s-buckell/we-don-t-have-a-writ-to-enter-but-i-have-diplomatic-immunity-ixtli/) Tobias S. Buckell > [“Finally, and definitely the coolest part, is that you get a card from the State Department that gives you diplomatic immunity. I wasn't exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/finally-and-definitely-the-coolest-part-is-that-you-get-a-card-from/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Today, only two groups in the United States have total immunity from lawsuits: foreign diplomats and HMOs. We believe it's time to end diplomatic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-harkin/today-only-two-groups-in-the-united-states-have-total-immunity-from/) [Tom Harkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-harkin/) > [He had this old southern idea of what a lady should be. A lady should not carry a gun and spend most of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-had-this-old-southern-idea-of-what-a-lady-should-be-a-lady-should/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Simple rules for effective carry Same gun. Same place. Every time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/u-s-concealed-carry-association/simple-rules-for-effective-carry-same-gun-same-place-every-time/) U.S. Concealed Carry Association > [If I do get a handgun, I can take it to the sheriff's department, and in about as much time as it would take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gottschall/if-i-do-get-a-handgun-i-can-take-it-to-the-sheriff-s-department-and/) [Jonathan Gottschall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gottschall/) > [“THE GAMBLER,THE NUN & THE RADIO I never carry a gun. With my luck, if i carried a gun I would be hanged ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/the-gambler-the-nun-the-radio-i-never-carry-a-gun-with-my-luck-if-i/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [When a man carries a gun all the time, the respect he thinks he's getting might really be fear. So I don't carry a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-griffith/when-a-man-carries-a-gun-all-the-time-the-respect-he-thinks-he-s/) [Andy Griffith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-griffith/) > [“If I can’t get a permit to carry a gun, then I’ll drag it along behind me. Do you need a permit for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalle-paatalo/if-i-can-t-get-a-permit-to-carry-a-gun-then-i-ll-drag-it-along-behind/) Kalle Paatalo > [As journalists, because you don't carry a gun, you sort of become this observer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-hetherington/as-journalists-because-you-don-t-carry-a-gun-you-sort-of-become-this/) [Tim Hetherington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-hetherington/) > [Dr. King kept guns in his home to protect himself and his family. After firebombing and numerous death threats by racists, his application for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/dr-king-kept-guns-in-his-home-to-protect-himself-and-his-family-after/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [This Oscar Pistorius business is interesting. There is this cult of carrying lots of guns and being ready to shoot somebody. There were people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-cartwright/this-oscar-pistorius-business-is-interesting-there-is-this-cult-of/) [Justin Cartwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cartwright/) > [If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That's ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-smith/if-you-carry-a-gun-people-will-call-you-paranoid-that-s-ridiculous-if/) [Clint Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-smith/) > [I don't think suicide is so terrible. Some rainy winter Sundays when there's a little boredom, you should always carry a gun. Not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lina-wertmuller/i-don-t-think-suicide-is-so-terrible-some-rainy-winter-sundays-when/) [Lina Wertmuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lina-wertmuller/) ## More by Stephen England > [“Korsakov turned away, sighing heavily as he made his way toward his SUV. It had been the early winter of 1997, a dark night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/korsakov-turned-away-sighing-heavily-as-he-made-his-way-toward-his/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“Three months in Somalia, Darren Roth thought, glancing impatiently at the crosswalk sign, waiting for the symbol to flash. If he closed his eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/three-months-in-somalia-darren-roth-thought-glancing-impatiently-at/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“It would be so simple, Harry thought, his mind flickering back across the years to another op. In Europe. A train station just like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/it-would-be-so-simple-harry-thought-his-mind-flickering-back-across/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“Omar’s choice of the .357 Magnum was more prosaic, based on a simple bit of advice from a fellow inmate. The man had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/omar-s-choice-of-the-357-magnum-was-more-prosaic-based-on-a-simple/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“Oh, well that can’t have been me,” Harry smiled grimly, clapping a hand on Malone’s shoulder as he moved past the big man. “You’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/oh-well-that-can-t-have-been-me-harry-smiled-grimly-clapping-a-hand/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“Hamid checked the silenced Heckler & Koch MP-5SD submachine gun for a third and final time before slapping a thirty-round magazine of 9mm hollowpoints…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/hamid-checked-the-silenced-heckler-koch-mp-5sd-submachine-gun-for-a/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“War teaches a man that he has only his brothers.” And sometimes not even them, Harry thought—feeling anger swell within him at the memory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/war-teaches-a-man-that-he-has-only-his-brothers-and-sometimes-not/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“Thomas Parker glanced at his watch. Five hours. He laid down his cleaning brush and picked up the scattered parts of his 7.62mm SV-98…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/thomas-parker-glanced-at-his-watch-five-hours-he-laid-down-his/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“He unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the ballistic vest underneath. The Brits were dead set against them carrying weapons, but body armor they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/he-unbuttoned-his-shirt-to-reveal-the-ballistic-vest-underneath-the/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“Twenty-seven years, Colin Hilliard thought, buttoning his suit as he strode out from under the cover of Balmoral’s carriage porch—the early afternoon sun shining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/twenty-seven-years-colin-hilliard-thought-buttoning-his-suit-as-he/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“Be prepared, indeed. The polymer case housed a Sig-Sauer P229 semiautomatic pistol chambered in 9mm Luger, along with a pair of thirteen-round magazines. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/be-prepared-indeed-the-polymer-case-housed-a-sig-sauer-p229/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“The meeting was as off-the-books as it got. Equal parts indignant denial and veiled threat. Accidents happen. Don’t want to lose your people? Keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/the-meeting-was-as-off-the-books-as-it-got-equal-parts-indignant/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“There was no one waiting for him back in the States, no one to inquire into the circumstances of his death. He had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/there-was-no-one-waiting-for-him-back-in-the-states-no-one-to-inquire/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“LONGBOW to EAGLE SIX, the target is sweating profusely,” Thomas announced. Harry couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “You can see that?” “Listen, a 14x Leupold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/longbow-to-eagle-six-the-target-is-sweating-profusely-thomas/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [“England has gone soft,” Colville said, gazing out through the darkness toward the few, flickering lights of North Rigton. The last faint rays of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/england-has-gone-soft-colville-said-gazing-out-through-the-darkness/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) [Explore all 67 Stephen England quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) ## More Time quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“William didn't look like he'd be difficult about anything - he was thin and sandy-haired and already wore eyeglasses like his father. Most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-c-wrede/william-didn-t-look-like-he-d-be-difficult-about-anything-he-was-thin/) [Patricia C. Wrede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-c-wrede/) > [Intel has a very complete process that I go through any time I want to sell that ensures I have no insider information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-krzanich/intel-has-a-very-complete-process-that-i-go-through-any-time-i-want/) [Brian Krzanich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-krzanich/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I feel like the future is unwritten. So many of the things that we write now haven't been about educating people on the environment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flansburgh/i-feel-like-the-future-is-unwritten-so-many-of-the-things-that-we/) [John Flansburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flansburgh/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974 > [“You put together two things that have not been put together before. And the world is changed. People may not notice at the time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/you-put-together-two-things-that-have-not-been-put-together-before/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [“It was about damn time something happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/it-was-about-damn-time-something-happened/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) [Browse all 215,255 Time quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“After a moment’s thought, he opened the diplomatic case and threw in an extra set of identification papers, under a Belgian passport. It had served him well in the past and it never hurt to plan ahead. The case also contained his Colt .45, two loaded magazines, and a box of Federal Hydra-Shok hollowpoints. Being able to carry the gun through security was one of the benefits of his diplomatic immunity. If he was forced to use it…well, that was another story”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen England" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-diplomatic-case-and-threw-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Time" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-diplomatic-case-and-threw-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4c/stephen-england-10225_time_after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-d_2963230.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4c/stephen-england-10225_time_after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-d_2963230.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4c/stephen-england-10225_time_after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-d_2963230.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“After a moment’s thought, he opened the diplomatic case and threw in an extra set of identification papers…” — Stephen England", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen England", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“After a moment’s thought, he opened...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-diplomatic-case-and-threw-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/after-a-moment-s-thought-he-opened-the-diplomatic-case-and-threw-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```