Oxymoron. Wotton. An example --- Another remark that can be done with this utterance as a whole is that the sentence can be seen as an oxymoron. In theory, one cannot lie and pretend to be honest.

However, this is not necessarily a figure of speech. In reality, as we have discussed in previous modules, the diplomats are not representing themselves but their countries. Their mandates may require them to lie bluntly or by omission in order to protect the national interest of their sending countries. They can be honest as individuals, while lying professionally.

I was once very close to a very active Ambassador of Tunisia to Bucharest, before and after the Jasmine Revolution. In our official meetings in November 2010, the Ambassador presented with enthusiasm and strong arguments the achievements of President Ben Ali in modernizing the economy and in the emancipation of women. In January 2011, after the fall of Ben Ali, she presented with equal enthusiasm and strong arguments the positive change brought by the Jasmine revolution.

For me, as a diplomat, the respective Ambassador remains an honest person.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu