Churchill reflects on the contrast between the severity of war and the formality of diplomatic conduct. His remark followed a courteous letter to the Japanese ambassador formally notifying him that Britain and Japan were at war. By defending the ceremonial tone, Churchill argues that hostility between states does not require discourtesy in the manner by which grave decisions are communicated.

The line is deliberately ironic: the phrase about killing a man reduces an immense political and military conflict to a stark personal comparison. Its underlying point is that politeness costs little, even when disagreement or conflict is absolute. Courtesy, in this view, does not weaken resolve or alter the substance of the decision. More broadly, the quotation illustrates a distinction between firmness and hostility, suggesting that serious opposition can be expressed clearly while maintaining restraint, formality and respect in communication.

Full quotation

“Some people did not like this ceremonial style. But after all when you have to kill a man it costs nothing to be polite.”