Meaning: This quote by Harold MacMillan, a prominent British politician who served as Prime Minister from 1957 to 1963, succinctly captures the delicate balancing act that foreign secretaries must perform in their public communications. The quote suggests that those in this position must navigate between the predictable and overused cliches that are often a part of diplomatic language, and the potential for saying something indiscreet or diplomatically damaging. In essence, foreign secretaries must carefully choose their words and phrases to convey important messages while avoiding both banality and diplomatic blunders.

Foreign secretaries play a crucial role in representing their country's interests on the global stage, and their words and actions can have significant implications for international relations. As such, the quote highlights the challenge of effectively communicating in a diplomatic context, where the need to convey important messages competes with the imperative to avoid causing offense or creating diplomatic crises.

On one hand, the reference to cliches suggests that foreign secretaries must navigate the temptation to rely on tired, formulaic language when addressing international issues. Diplomatic discourse is often characterized by familiar phrases and boilerplate statements, and foreign secretaries are under constant pressure to strike a balance between conveying important messages and avoiding the use of empty, predictable rhetoric. By acknowledging the ever-present pull of cliches, MacMillan's quote emphasizes the need for foreign secretaries to find fresh, meaningful ways to articulate their country's positions and policies.

On the other hand, the mention of indiscretion highlights the potential pitfalls of diplomatic communication. Foreign secretaries must be constantly aware of the potential for their words to be misinterpreted or taken out of context, and they must exercise caution to avoid making statements that could harm their country's interests or relationships with other nations. This aspect of the quote speaks to the high stakes of diplomatic communication and the need for foreign secretaries to carefully weigh their words to prevent misunderstandings or unintended diplomatic incidents.

In essence, MacMillan's quote encapsulates the complex and nuanced nature of diplomatic communication, particularly for those in the role of foreign secretary. It underscores the need for these individuals to navigate between the pressures of cliches and the risks of indiscretion, all while effectively representing their country's interests on the global stage.

In conclusion, Harold MacMillan's quote about the role of a foreign secretary as being "forever poised between the cliche and the indiscretion" encapsulates the delicate balancing act that these individuals must perform in their public communications. It highlights the challenges of navigating between the predictable language of cliches and the potential for diplomatic missteps, emphasizing the nuanced nature of diplomatic communication and the high stakes involved in representing a country's interests on the global stage.