According to
Flaubert's satirical
Dictionary of Received Ideas,"A fine
career, but beset with difficulties and full of
mystery. Suitable only for
aristocrats. A
profession of vague importance, though superior to trade. Diplomats are always
subtle and
shrewd."
According to Ambrose Bierce, "The patriotic art of lying for one's country."
According to Will Rogers, "Diplomacy is the art of saying 'nice doggie' until you can find a rock."
This last one has also been credited in previous write-ups to people called Wynn Catlin and bumper sticker. I don't know who actually said it, but I include my candidate here in case (a) it was him and (b) the previous rather slender nodes find themselves missing one day.