I think it's more difficult now to write a spy thriller with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many authors have tried, but few have succeeded in capturing the interest of readers.

If everyone howled at every injustice, every act of barbarism, every act of unkindness, then we would be taking the first step towards a real humanity.

We're all pilgrims on the same journey but some pilgrims have better road maps.

I like the process of pencil and paper as opposed to a machine. I think the writing is better when it's done in handwriting.

There are Mafia families that have bought magnificent houses on the North Shore, although not yet the great estates because they don't want that kind of high profile.

I generally unwind by having dinner with close friends.

Somehow our devils are never quite what we expect when we meet them face to face.

Everyone looked pensive, which is good cover-up for clueless.

How you handle life depends a lot on how you handle plan B, or if you have a plan B.

…made me promise to cut down on the drinking and swearing, which I have. Unfortunately, this has left me dim-witted and nearly speechless.

I sometimes use some personality traits to fashion part of a character. Most of my characters are composites of either people I know or people in the public eye.

The historian is a prophet looking backwards.

Whenever an individual or a business decides that success has been attained, progress stops.

The best way to reduce the cost of medical care is to reduce the illness.

Democracy is hard work.

The minds of the everlasting gods are not changed suddenly.

I am learning to see loneliness as a seed that, when planted deep enough, can grow into writing that goes back out into the world.

Learning is the property of those who fear to do disagreeable things.

I liked you better when you were this timid little kid. What happened?” “I started living with you guys.” “Oh, right.

I think an athlete should be honest. I know it's difficult, but if a guy knocked me on my can, I couldn't very well say, I slipped.

Man is now in charge of the thermostat for the globe.