“That's one of the great problems of our modern world, you know. Forgetting. The victim never forgets. Ask an Irishman what the English did to him in 1920 and he'll tell you the day of the month and the time and the name of every man they killed. Ask an Iranian what the English did to him in 1953 and he'll tell you. His child will tell you. His grandchild will tell you too. But ask an Englishman -- if he ever knew, he has forgotten. 'Move on!' you tell us. 'Move on! Forget what we've done to you. Tomorrow's another day!' But it isn't, Mr. Brue. Tomorrow was created yesterday, you see. That's the point I was making to you. And the day before yesterday, too. To ignore history is to ignore the wolf at the door.” OppressionIranForgettingEnglishVictimsIrishBritish Imperialism Book:A Most Wanted Man Source: A Most Wanted Man
“There comes a moment for all of us when our childhood ceases to be an excuse. In your case, I would say that, as with many English, the moment is somewhat delayed.” ChildhoodEnglandEnglishmenEnglish Book:Absolute Friends Source: Absolute Friends
“Haydon was more than his model, he was his inspiration, the torch-bearer of a certain kind of English calling which - for the very reason that it was vague and understated and elusive - had made sense of Guillam's life till now.” InspirationBehaviourVagueEnglishmenEnglishUnderstatementVaguenessElusivenessEnglishness Book:Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Source: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy