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John le Carre

John le Carre Quotes

Author

John le Carre, born David Cornwell, is a renowned British spy novel author. Born in October 1931, he is known for his profound insights into the world of espionage and his delicate portrayal of human nature. Le Carre's works are often set against the backdrop of the British intelligence agencies during the Cold War, revealing the complexity and moral dilemmas of espionage activities.

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Famous John le Carre Quotes

“Never trade a secret, you'll always get the short end of the bargain.”

Ends Secret Trade Bargains

Author:John le Carre

“When it comes to recruiting people for the secret world, what the recruiters are looking for is pretty much what I had. I was unanchored, looking for an institution to look after me. I had a bit of larceny. I understood larceny. I understood the natural criminality in people - because it was - it was all around me. And I have no doubt there was a chunk of it inside me too. Once I found that identity, it took root in me. It exactly - it gelled with the world that I'd known in the past.”

People World Past Natural Secret Doubt Identity

Author:John le Carre

“...also took for granted that secret services were the only real measure of a nations political health, the only real expression of its subconscious.”

Real Political Nations Secret Expression Granted Subconscious Secret Service Took For Granted

Book:Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Source: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

“It's part of a writer's profession, as it's part of a spy's profession, to prey on the community to which he's attached, to take away information - often in secret - and to translate that into intelligence for his masters, whether it's his readership or his spy masters. And I think that both professions are perhaps rather lonely.”

Thinking Writing Community Secret Information Masters Lonely Profession Translate Spy Prey Readership

Author:John le Carre

“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.”

Needs Sometimes Literature Loses Secret Winner Tonight No Winners

Author:John le Carre

“The Secret Intelligence Service I knew occupied dusky suites of little rooms opposite St James's Park Tube station in London.”

Littles Rooms Secret Opposites London Parks Stations Tubes Intelligence Services Secret Intelligence

Author:John le Carre

“Most of us live in a condition of secrecy: secret desires, secret appetites, secret hatreds and relationship with the institutions which is extremely intense and uncomfortable. These are, to me, a part of the ordinary human condition. So I don't think I'm writing about abnormal things. ... Artists, in my experience, have very little center. They fake. They are not the real thing. They are spies. I am no exception.”

“People are very secretive - secret even from themselves.”

People Secret Secretive

Author:John le Carre

About the Author

Born: October 19, 1931
Known for: Author
Quotes: 178

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Books & Sources

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, SpyRelated source material

The Honourable SchoolboyRelated source material

The Russia House: A NovelRelated source material

Smiley's PeopleRelated source material

The Constant Gardener: A NovelRelated source material

The Spy Who Came In from the ColdRelated source material

A Most Wanted ManRelated source material

A Murder of QualityRelated source material

A Perfect SpyRelated source material

Absolute FriendsRelated source material

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