A major theme in all my books is that the CIA is not only the first line of defense but they should also be the first line of offense.

People who think God is on their side are capable of the most inhumane acts. (Petrov)

No matter how bad you think you have it, there's always - always somebody who's got it way, way worse.

If you're not busy living, you're dying.

Revenge is more wild, less calculated...deeply personal. Retribution is a punishment that is morally right and fully deserved. (Mitch Rapp)

When I give a lot of speeches, they're always on the fly. I mean, I know what I'm going to say roughly, but I do not - will not read.

It's this upside-down world that we live in where we afford political correctness to the most intolerant group of individuals on the planet.

A good football team plays offense and defense. You have to be aggressive and disrupt.

My doctors warned me repeatedly that if you don't stay positive, you don't do well.

People, especially successful people, are habitual creatures. They're organized. This makes them productive - Gus Mitchell

I am a huge fan of Alan Furst. Furst is the best in the business--the most talented espionage novelist of our generation.

There is no better revenge than a great success.

To save and maintain the beauty of nature

In the same way in which music is made of notes and a painting is made of lines of colors, the matter of literature are words.

The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential.

I'll always remain friends with men I've been in love with. Each one gave me so much, in so many ways.

In this manner, I continued with Satan for ten days. His answer and blasphemy were too shocking to pen; till I was worn out with rage and malice against him, I could not bear myself.

If the earth is fit for laughter then surely heaven is filled with it. Heaven is the birthplace of laughter.

Racism is still America's greatest addiction. I also believe that America is the greatest sin against God.

The only certainty about following the crowd is that you will all get there together.

Today, I attended a friend's birthday party dressed as a ninja. I soon discovered that ninjas are very misunderstood.