We’re all good when it suits us, he used to say: that doesn’t count. It’s when you want so badly to do something wrong—when you’re about to make a fortune from a dishonest deal, or kiss the lovely lips of your neighbor’s wife, or tell a lie to get yourself out of terrible trouble—that’s when you need the rules. Your integrity is like a sword, he would say: you shouldn’t wave it until you’re about to put it to the test.

The most expensive part of building is the mistakes.

you should first follow the plow if you want to dance the harvest jig.

Everybody takes what they life from the teachings of the church, and ignores the parts that don't suit them.

My favorite period is World War II, and I'm in the middle of writing my fourth novel set in that era.

The thriller is the most popular literary genre of the 20th century.

Hunger is the best seasoning.