In all intercourse between the states,

If they are located near to each other,

There should be mutual friendliness

Verified by mutually rewarding businesses;

If they are far apart, there must be

Sincere adherence to truth in their messages.

Those messages will be transmitted

By their envoys. But to convey messages

Which express the complacence

Or dissatisfaction of two parties

Is the most delicate issue to settle.

If they be those of mutual complacence,

There is sure to be an overflow

Of expressions of satisfaction;

If of mutual dissatisfaction--an overflow

Of expressions of dislike and discontent.

But all extravagance leads to reckless language

And such language fails to command belief.

When this distrust arises, woe to the messenger!

Hence the Protocol states, "Transmit the message

Exactly as it stands; do not transmit it

With any overflow of language; so is the envoy

Likely to keep himself whole; and this is

The essential point of what is called 'diplomacy.'