The longing we have to communicate cleanly and directly with people is always obstructed by qualifications and often with concern about how our messages will be received.

Quote by John Le Carre

Topics: John Le Carre Quotes

Until we have a better relationship between private performance and the public truth, as was...

Until we have a better relationship between private performance and the public truth, as was...

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...

History keeps her secrets longer than most of us. But she has one secret that...

History keeps her secrets longer than most of us. But she has one secret that...

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 think that where I've watched a movie go wrong, it's usually because the dread...

I think that where I've watched a movie go wrong, it's usually because the dread...

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...

In the last 15 or 20 years, I've watched the British press simply go to...

In the last 15 or 20 years, I've watched the British press simply go to...

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

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

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.

In every war zone that I've been in, there has been a reality and then...

In every war zone that I've been in, there has been a reality and then...

You should have died when I killed you

You should have died when I killed you

A committee is an animal with four back legs.

A committee is an animal with four back legs.

Most people like to read about intrigue and spies. I hope to provide a metaphor...

Most people like to read about intrigue and spies. I hope to provide a metaphor...

If I had to put a name to it, I would wish that all my...

If I had to put a name to it, I would wish that all my...

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...

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...

Remember Graham Green's dictum that childhood is the bank balance of the writer? I think...

Remember Graham Green's dictum that childhood is the bank balance of the writer? I think...

Betrayal can only happen if you love

Betrayal can only happen if you love

In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer...

In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer...

One should rather die than be betrayed. There is no deceit in death. It delivers...

One should rather die than be betrayed. There is no deceit in death. It delivers...