I am very grateful for the indiscriminate behavior of my ancestors. I was conceived in St. Petersburg, but born in London— a Swiss cottage, of course.

An optimist is one who knows exactly how bad a place the world can be; a pessimist is one who finds out anew every morning.

Pavarotti is very difficult to pass at the net in tennis, with or without a racquet.

Pavarotti is not vain but is conscious of being unique.

I'd rather be buried at sea than on the shore when I come to die. Will you stand by the plank, mates, so I can shake a friendly hand before I sink?

Parents are the bones on which children sharpen their teeth.

A diplomat these days is nothing, but a head waiter who is allowed to sit down occasionally.

People who reach the top of the tree are only those who haven't got the qualifications to detain them at the bottom.

To refuse awards is another way of accepting them with more noise than is normal.

I'm convinced there's a small room in the attic of the Foreign Office where future diplomats are taught to stammer.