History keeps her secrets longer than most of us. But she has one secret that I will reveal to you tonight in the greatest confidence. Sometimes there are no winners at all. And sometimes nobody needs to lose.

Quote by John Le Carre

Topics: John Le Carre Quotes

Fools, most linguists. Damn all to say in one language, so they learn another and...

Fools, most linguists. Damn all to say in one language, so they learn another and...

I've always had difficulties with female characters.

I've always had difficulties with female characters.

Every writer knows he is spurious; every fiction writer would rather be credible than authentic.

Every writer knows he is spurious; every fiction writer would rather be credible than authentic.

We lie to one another every day, in the sweetest way, often unconsciously. We dress...

We lie to one another every day, in the sweetest way, often unconsciously. We dress...

The Cold War was over long before it was officially declared dead.

The Cold War was over long before it was officially declared dead.

I don't know whether it's age or maturity, but I certainly find myself committed more...

I don't know whether it's age or maturity, but I certainly find myself committed more...

I'm really a library man, or second-hand book man.

I'm really a library man, or second-hand book man.

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

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

The longing we have to communicate cleanly and directly with people is always obstructed by...

The longing we have to communicate cleanly and directly with people is always obstructed by...

A spy, like a writer, lives outside the mainstream population. He steals his experience through...

A spy, like a writer, lives outside the mainstream population. He steals his experience through...

Betrayal can only happen if you love.

Betrayal can only happen if you love.

Ideologies have no heart of their own. They're the whores and angels of our striving...

Ideologies have no heart of their own. They're the whores and angels of our striving...

Americans believe that if you know something, you should do something about it.

Americans believe that if you know something, you should do something about it.

A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.

A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.

We have learned in recent years to translate almost all of political life in terms...

We have learned in recent years to translate almost all of political life in terms...

When you're my age and you see a story, you better go for it pretty...

When you're my age and you see a story, you better go for it pretty...

I don't think that there are very many good writers who don't live without a...

I don't think that there are very many good writers who don't live without a...

People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents...

People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents...

I don't think it is given to any of us to be impertinent to great...

I don't think it is given to any of us to be impertinent to great...

For better or worse, I've been involved in the description of political conflict.

For better or worse, I've been involved in the description of political conflict.