People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents you for yourself, nothing is left but to invent yourself for others.

The Secret Intelligence Service I knew occupied dusky suites of little rooms opposite St James's Park Tube station in London.

America has entered one of its periods of historic madness, but this is the worst I can remember.

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

You can't make war against terror. Terror is a technique of battle. It's a tactic that has been employed since time immemorial. You can conduct clandestine action against terrorists, and that must be done.

Blackmail is more effective than bribery.

By the age of 9 or 10, I knew that I had to cut my own cloth and make my own way.