17 Quotes by Conor Cruise O'Brien

British diplomats, constantly exposed to American political-ethical rhetoric, find their professional skills tested to the limits by the need to keep a straight face. For illustrations of what I mean, study the photographs of the expressions worn by Mr Douglas Hurd at any international conference involving all the Western allies.

Today, as a result of the policy of Macmillan's Government, Great Britain presents in the United Nations the face of Pecksniff and in Katanga the face of Gradgrind.

Nothing does more to activate Christian divisions than talk about Christian unity.

Human nature doesn't include all human beings. There are human beings who are indifferent to politics, religion, virtually anything.

Man watches his history on the screen with apathy and an occasional passing flicker of horror or indignation.

You can safely appeal to the United Nations in the comfortable certainty that it will let you down.

The main thing that endears the United Nations to member governments, and so enables it to survive, is its proven capacity to fail. You can safely appeal to the United Nations in the comfortable certainty that it will let you down.

The sea which we think of separating the two island actually joins them.

You are not an agnostic.....You are just a fat slob who is too lazy to go to Mass.