Mexico Set (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Len Deighton

‘Extra ecclesiam nulla salus;

A heretic

does not lose

his f...

It was exactly what I thought, but since it wasn’t what I’d intended to say I denied it.

I’d subconsciously identified with Stinnes. For I was also forty years old and I wanted to be where the big decisions are made.

I never really trust drinking water anywhere but Scotland; and I’ve never been to Scotland.

He was like me, too damned old and too damned cynical to fall for anything but innocent sincerity or a cynicism even more profound than his own.

‘It’s not a game of skill,’ said Werner. ‘It’s a game of chance.’

Perhaps he thought I would admire such acquired trickery more than mere talent. A man could not take credit for talent in the way he could for cunning.

What was that joke about Hungarians going into a revolving door behind you and coming out ahead of you.

The trouble was that, while our marriage had left her well aware of all my weaknesses, it had taught me only that she had none.

Sex is like crime. Only one per cent motivation and ninety-nine per cent opportunity.’

It was exactly what I thought. ‘No,’ I said.

‘Women are available everywhere,’ I said. ‘But marriages, reasonably happy marriages, are extremely rare.’

For fear is so unwelcome

that it comes only in disguise, and guilt is its favourite one.

He looked at me as if I were an insect floating in his drink.

He slid the heavy glass ashtray along the polished table with that violent aplomb with which bartenders shove bourbon bottles in cowboy films.

‘Okay, Dicky, okay,’ said Bret, holding up a hand and admiring his signet ring, his fraternity ring and his manicure.

This wasn’t a swivel chair but Bret kept throwing his weight from one side to the other as if hoping that it might become one.

exhibiting that mannered patience with which great minds untangle ignorance.

We all know that Moscow likes to have spies who spy on spies who spy on spies.

Field agents were seldom chosen from recruited staff. Field agents didn’t get sent anywhere. Field agents were there already.

George had the dispassionate manner of a highly paid medical specialist. And of, I suppose, the confessor.

Tessa’s ‘ice bucket’ was George’s ‘wine cooler’, I noticed. It was the same with so many things. They seemed to have so little in common that it was a wonder they’d ever got married.

‘Criminal activity is one per cent motivation and ninety-nine per cent opportunity. You must have heard me say that, Bernard.’ ‘It sounds familiar, George,’ I said.

‘Life is difficult, isn’t it? You have to risk what you need to get what you want.’

Amateurs keep their eyes on the target instead of looking over their shoulders.

There is always some damned possibility that lies beyond every probability.