For a man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner—Samuel Johnson.
DIPLOMACY
WIFE—"Please match this piece of silk for me before you come home."
HUSBAND—"At the counter where the sweet little blond works? The one with the soulful eyes and—"
WIFE—"No. You're too tired to shop for me when your day's work is done, dear. On second thought, I won't bother you."
Scripture tells us that a soft answer turneth away wrath. A witty repartee sometimes helps one immensely also.
When Richard Olney was secretary of state he frequently gave expression to the opinion that appointees to the consular service should speak the language of the countries to which they were respectively accredited. It is said that when a certain breezy and enterprising western politician who was desirous of serving the Cleveland administration in the capacity of consul of the Chinese ports presented his papers to Mr. Olney, the secretary remarked: