Quote by Barbara Tuchman
Diplomacy means all the wicked devices of the Old World, spheres of influence, balances of power, secret treaties, triple alliances, and, during the interim period, appeasement of Fascism.
Summary
This quote suggests that diplomacy, as practiced in the past, involved many manipulative and deceitful tactics. It references the Old World's use of spheres of influence, balances of power, secret treaties, and alliances, which were often employed for selfish and strategic reasons. It also mentions appeasement of Fascism, indicating that diplomacy was sometimes used to avoid conflict or pacify enigmatic and aggressive forces. Overall, the quote highlights a cynical view of diplomacy, portraying it as an arena where political maneuvering and compromise often outweighed fairness and honesty.