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It is hard to say why politicians are called servants, unless it is because a good one is hard to find.

Every single administration in American political history has put cronies and pals and donors into political positions. But normally those people become the ambassador to Liechtenstein or the deputy undersecretary of commerce.

People like leaders who look like they are dominant, optimistic, friendly to their friends, and quick on the trigger when it comes to enemies. They like boldness and despise the appearance of timidity and protracted doubt.

The British public like a Briton with personality, someone who comes out on court and isn't dour and down on themselves.

Diplomats make it their business to conceal the facts, and politicians violently denounce the politicians of other countries.

Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.

The British keep employing me, and that makes me like them. It also makes me think they're very intelligent.

Beware the politically obsessed. They are often bright and interesting, but they have something missing in their natures; there is a hole, an empty place, and they use politics to fill it up. It leaves them somehow misshapen.

Royalty mostly seem like members of some anachronistic faith, like the Amish, peculiar in gilded buggies.