What does he do, Clarice? What is the first and principal thing he does, what need does he serve by killing? He covets. How do we begin to covet? We begin by coveting what we see every day.

When the Fox hears the Rabbit scream he comes a-runnin', but not to help.

You would think such a day would tremble to begin . . .

Whenever feasible, one should always try to eat the rude.

Lecter is so lucid, so perceptive; he's trained in psychiatry... and he's a mass murderer.

I think it's easy to mistake understanding for empathy - we want empathy so badly. Maybe learning to make that distinction is part of growing up. It's hard and ugly to know somebody can understand you without even liking you.

Back at his chair he cannot remember what he was reading. He feels the books beside him to find the one that is warm.