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About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote suggests modern diplomats are servile and lack real power, merely waiting on others.
In plain terms
Diplomats today are like waiters who only sit down sometimes.
What can you take from it?
Modern diplomacy may lack genuine influence.

Where it applies

  • critique of foreign policy
  • discussions on statecraft
  • political satire

Putting it to work

  • analyze diplomatic roles
  • critique international relations

Questions to consider

  • What defines real power in diplomacy?
  • How has the diplomat's role changed?

Another view

It oversimplifies the complex work diplomats do.

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