To possess another language, Charlemagne tells us, is to possess another soul. German is such a language. Once you have it in your head, you can go there anytime, you can close the door, you have a refuge.

For decades to come the spy world will continue to be the collective couch where the subconscious of each nation is confessed.

I've always had difficulties with female characters.

My definition of a decent society is one that first of all takes care of its losers, and protects its weak.

Writing is like walking in a deserted street. Out of the dust in the street you make a mud pie.

A committee is an animal with four back legs.

George Smiley: [quoting an old letter from Bill Haydon about Jim Prideaux] He has that heavy quiet that commands. He's my other half. Between us we'd make one marvelous man. He asks nothing better than to be in my company or that of my wicked, divine friends, and I'm vastly tickled by the compliment. He's virgin, about eight foot tall, and built by the same firm that did Stonehenge