“The reason for having diplomatic relations is not to confer a compliment, but to secure a convenience.”

Source: Just a Theory: Exploring the Nature of Science (2005), Chapter 2, “Just a Theory: What Scientists Do” (p. 38)

Chen Chien-jen (2017) cited in " Ex-foreign minister warns of 'domino effect' after Panama defection http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201706130009.aspx" on Focus Taiwan, 13 June 2017

Concurring in New York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971).
Context: The word 'security' is a broad, vague generality whose contours should not be invoked to abrogate the fundamental law embodied in the First Amendment. The guarding of military and diplomatic secrets at the expense of informed representative government provides no real security ….

Joseph Wu (2019) cited in " Breaking News: Kiribati switches recognition to China, Taiwan loses second Pacific ally in one week https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3780704" on Taiwan News, 20 September 2019.

2021, February 2021, Remarks by President Biden to Department of Defense Personnel, February 10, 2021

§ 8
1780s, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments (1785)
Context: What influence in fact have ecclesiastical establishments had on Civil Society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the Civil authority; in many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny: in no instance have they been seen the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate it needs them not.

Daily Telegram number 2159, Mr. Rogers Has An Idea How Conferences End (5 July 1933) <ref name=telegram4>
Daily telegrams

David Lin (2015) cited in " Future of diplomatic ties uncertain: Lin http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/10/22/2003630648" on Taipei Times, 22 October 2015

Part I, p. 28.
The Autobiography (1818)
Context: I believe I have omitted mentioning that in my first Voyage from Boston, being becalm'd off Block Island, our People set about catching Cod and haul'd up a great many. Hitherto I had stuck to my Resolution of not eating animal Food and on this Occasion, I consider'd with my Master Tryon, the taking every Fish as a kind of unprovok'd Murder, since none of them had or ever could do us any Injury that might justify the Slaughter. All this seem'd very reasonable. But I had formerly been a great Lover of Fish, and when this came hot out of the Frying Pan, it smelt admirably well. I balanc'd some time between Principle and Inclination: till I recollected, that when the Fish were opened, I saw smaller Fish taken out of their Stomachs: Then, thought I, if you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you. So I din'd upon Cod very heartily and continu'd to eat with other People, returning only now and then occasionally to a vegetable Diet. So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.