As our Governments spin, lie and lose their credibility, the electorate simply shrugs and looks the other way.

There will be no war, but in the pursuit of principle no stone will be left standing.

Completing a book, it's a little like having a baby.... There's a feeling of relief and satisfaction when you get to the end. A feeling that you have brought your family, your characters, home. Then a sort of post-natal depression and then, very quickly, the horizon of a new book. The consolation that next time I will do it better.

When a problem threatens to engulf you, there's nothing like irrelevant detail to keep your head above water.

We have learned in recent years to translate almost all of political life in terms of conspiracy. And the spy novel, as never before, really, has come into its own.

Treason is very much a matter of habit, Smiley decided.

A lot of people see doubt as legitimate philosophical posture. They think of themselves in the middle, whereas of course really, they're nowhere.