Beirut Station Quotes

“We all suffer tragedy and disappointment. Who doesn’t? But what distinguishes one sufferer from another is the way that he is able to rise above misfortune.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station: Two Lives of a Spy

“They were waiting for the right excuse. The IDF saw what America did in Iraq. They thought they could do the same here. In and out. Declare victory. Mission accomplished.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station

“The scourge of this land is the curse of revenge.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station

“I don’t hate the English. I have nothing against the colonial bastards. It’s a lovely weakened country with a big useless history.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station

“My family held Turkish, French, and Lebanese passports in one generation while living in the same house.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station

“We Beirutis have complicated feelings toward our city. We love Beirut when we are away and we hate it when we are here. We are happy only when we are leaving or returning.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station: Two Lives of a Spy

“obituary. Another casualty of her tour in Beirut. Analise’s depression came in waves, but like the tide, it also receded. No good came from dwelling on what had happened. She felt responsible for Aldrich’s death, although she knew that she was blameless, but the inner workings of guilt didn’t assuage her pain. She admired his faith; his noble, hopeless idealism; and she had no problem reconciling that to do good required the diligent exercise of evil. The number of men she’d killed, or had a hand in killing, had doubled. She had done what was required.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station: Two Lives of a Spy

“Her voice was impatient with rage. ‘They say the only deterrent to terror is to kill terrorists. It’s the same argument that dictators have made to murder opponents throughout history. Say it whatever way you want – whether it comes from the mouth of a dictator or as an excuse to repress people of different political views – it’s the same old serpent.’ Halima swept her hand across the evening. ‘All this violence. The idea that killing people solves problems. War is all they know, and they are good at it, so they kill people thinking that war will bring peace. It never brings peace. There is only a pause in the war.’ She was quiet for a moment, struggling with her indignation. ‘They are not a kind people. Some are kind, some are wise, but not the politicians. The opposite of kindness is not cruelty. It is indifference. All this’ – she looked across the bombed city – ‘is indifference. Our suffering isn’t about who we are. It is about who they are. Airplanes and tanks give them the power to be indifferent.’ She sipped her drink, and her voice lowered and softened. ‘Israel’s prime ministers – Sharon, Olmert, Netanyahu – believe they can solve these problems with toughness, but things have changed. The Islamic faith has spread. For better or worse.’ Her hand went to her heart. When she spoke again, her soprano voice was strident. ‘How will they frighten jihadists who love martyrdom?’ She shook her head. ‘God forbid.’ ‘You’re wrong,’ Analise said. ‘Not all Israelis are that way.’ ‘Je le croirai, guard je le verrai.’ She paused. ‘Let them show it.’ She waved dismissively. ‘Beirut survived the Romans, the Ottomans, the French. The land and the people endure. That land has defeated stronger enemies than Israel. Israel is an idea. Ideas come and go. Land endures.’ She lowered her head and looked out at the darkened city. Her words came in quiet lament. ‘The scourge of this land is the curse of revenge.”
― Paul Vidich, Beirut Station