Thomas Powers Quotes

• The logic of war seems to be if the belligerent can fight, he will fight. That leaders will not surrender until surrender is academic. How is a national leader to explain the sacrifice of so much for nothing?

  Thomas Powers

  Fear, War, Fighting

  Thomas Powers (1982). “Thinking about the next war”, Alfred A. Knopf

  47 Copy quote

• The composer Stravinsky had written a new piece with a difficult violin passage. After it had been in rehearsal for several weeks, the solo violinist came to Stravinsky and said he was sorry, he had tried his best, the passage was too difficult, no violinist could play it. Stravinsky said, 'I understand that. What I am after is the sound of someone trying to play it.'

  Thomas Powers

  Sorry, Play, Trying

  6 Copy quote

• Betrayal, in one form or another, is at the very heart of the world of intelligence.

  Thomas Powers

  Loyalty, Betrayal, Heart

  The Man Who Kept the Secrets (1979).

  12 Copy quote

• I find myself being quite cynical - and I think we all kind of are - towards the idea that it's associated with being a musician; you know... the kind of rock-star attitude. So, I hope that people know it's a joke.

  Thomas Powers

  Attitude, Thinking, People

  Source: www.interviewmagazine.com

  4 Copy quote

• The first rule in keeping secrets is nothing on paper: paper can be lost or stolen or simply inherited by the wrong people; if you really want to keep something secret, don't write it down.

  Thomas Powers

  Writing, Keeping Secrets, People

  The Man Who Kept the Secrets (1979).

  7 Copy quote

• The first rule in keeping secrets is nothing on paper.

  Thomas Powers

  Keeping Secrets, Secret, Paper

  The Man Who Kept the Secrets (1979).

  4 Copy quote

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