The real gladiators of the world are so humble in their origins and unremarkable in appearance that when we stand next to them in a grocery-store lin…

- James Lee Burke

When people make a contract with the devil and give him an air-conditioned office to work in, he doesn't go back home easily.

- James Lee Burke

How do you explain to yourself the casual manner in which you threw your life away?

- James Lee Burke

We gain no wisdom by imposing our way on others.

- James Lee Burke

To misuse one's talent, to be cavalier about it, to set it aside because of fear or sloth is unpardonable.

- James Lee Burke

I believe every...man remembers the girl he thinks he should have married. She reappears to him in his lonely moments, or he sees her in the face of …

- James Lee Burke

Don't ever quit. Never quit. Never show anybody you're hurt. Grin and walk through the cannon smoke. It will drive them up the wall. You always stay …

- James Lee Burke

If there is any human tragedy, there is only one, and it occurs when we forget who we are and remain silent while a stranger takes up residence insid…

- James Lee Burke

Don't let anyone tell you that age purchases your freedom from fear of death.

- James Lee Burke