Home / Quotes / Quote by John le Carre

Quote by John le Carre

“A good writer can watch a cat pad across the street and know what it is to be pounced upon by a Bengal tiger.”

Quote by John le Carre

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. more

You May Also Like

“It's a principle of mine to come into the story as late as possible, and to tell it as fast as you can.”

Writing Stories Principles Mines Late

Author:John le Carre

“Without a pen in my hand I can't think.”

Thinking Writing I Can Hands Pens

Author:John le Carre

“Completing a book, it's a little like having a baby.... There's a feeling of relief and satisfaction when you get to the end. A feeling that you have brought your family, your characters, home. Then a sort of post-natal depression and then, very quickly, the horizon of a new book. The consolation that next time I will do it better.”

Writing Littles Book Ends Character Feelings Home Next Baby Satisfaction Posts Our Family Relief Horizon Next Time Consolation New Books Having A Baby Completing Natal

Author:John le Carre

“I've never been able to write a book without one very strong character in my rucksack.”

Writing Book Character Able Strong Very Strong Strong Character

Author:John le Carre

“The good pupils are often brilliant, and they keep you on your toes and take you to the limits of your knowledge. The worst pupils provide a unique insight into the criminal mind.”

Mind Worst Limits Unique Insight Brilliant Criminals Toes Pupils Criminal Mind

Author:John le Carre

“Tyranny is like the electric wiring in an old house. A tyrant dies, the new tyrant takes possession, and all he has to do is drop the switch.”

Dies House Possession Tyranny Tyrants Electric Wiring Old Houses

Author:John le Carre

“Blackmail is more effective than bribery.”

Blackmail Bribery

Author:John le Carre

“I mean, you can't be less ruthless than the opposition simply because your government's policy is benevolent, can you now?”

Mean Government Policy Opposition Ruthless Benevolent

Book:The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

Source: The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

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

Ends Secret Trade Bargains

Author:John le Carre

“I was the British spy who had come out of the woodwork and told it how it really was, and anything I said to the contrary only enforced the myth. And since I was writing for a public hooked on Bond and desperate for the antidote, the myth stuck.”

Writing Said British Myth Contrary Stuck Desperate Spy Antidote Hooked

Author:John le Carre