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

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

Writing novels is the hardest thing I've ever done, including digging irrigation ditches.

Being smart spoils a lot of things, doesn't it?

I have no interest in understanding sheep, only eating them.

Problem-solving is hunting; it is savage pleasure and we are born to it.

He sees very clearly - he damn sure sees through me. It's hard to accept that someone can understand you without wishing you well. At Starling's age it hadn't happened to her much.