In the Envoy Corps, you take what is offered, Virginia Vidaura said, somewhere in the corridors of my memory. And that must sometimes be enough.

Like Bancroft, MacIntyre had been a man of power, and like all men of power, when he talked of prices worth paying, you could be sure of one thing. Someone else was paying.

It has been a messy week, and I blame myself as much as anyone else. I feel like a behaviourist who has designed her rat’s maze poorly.

The human understanding is like a false mirror, which, receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolors the nature of things by mingling its own nature.

I'm particularly proud of anything the House and the Senate agree on.

When I was young there was no respect for the young, and now that I am old there is no respect for the old

I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the US military to promote it.

Every word and every deed, every thought and every gesture, even the simple act of paying attention can be a gift and therefore an echo of God’s life in us.

I've never let anyone talk me into not believing in myself

I don't want to die. I think death is a greatly overrated experience.

A job is a sacrifice. Following an interest - that's a contribution. And we're here on the planet, not to sacrifice ourselves, but to make a contribution.

Obama believes the cops are the problem. That's why his new philosophy is to have them withdraw and refrain and not be seen because just their presence is provocative.

My first job is to write the characters as full and authentic people as well as I can.