Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[imchongjun]

Hi.
Could you paraphrase the sentence in bold type for me?

"The seas which engirdle this island," the Ambassador said thoughtfully,
"have brought the English great weal, as they may bring to her much woe.
The too-nimble brain of the diplomat has its parallel of insincerity in
the people whose interests he seems to guard. I believe in the honesty
of the English politicians,...

(source: http://www.online-literature.com/oppenheim/great-impersonation/25/)

[pugachevV]

Quick-witted diplomats are as insincere as the people they represent.