" You’ll just have to take our word for it.’ ‘Your Service’s word?’ ‘For the time being, yes.’ ‘On the strength of what? Aren’t you supposed to be the gentlemen who lie for the good of their country?’ ‘That’s diplomats. We’re not gentlemen.’ ‘So you lie to save your hides.’ ‘That’s politicians. Different game entirely. "

― John le Carré , Our Kind of Traitor