Quotes from Clear and Present Danger

Tom Clancy ·  688 pages

Rating: (113.3K votes)


“The point of life was to press on, to do the best you can, to make the world a better place.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“I understand why we do that now. It’s a help, not a threat. It’s something to remind you how important words are. Ideas are important. Principles are important. Words are important. Your word is the most important of all. Your word is who you are.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“The only real difference between a wise man and a fool, Moore knew, was that the wise man tended to make more serious mistakes—and only because no one trusted a fool with really crucial decisions; only the wise had the opportunity to lose battles, or nations.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“Jack looked out the window as they passed the Mormon temple, just outside the beltway near Connecticut Avenue. A decidedly odd-looking building, it had grandeur with its marble columns and gilt spires. The beliefs represented by that impressive structure seemed curious to Ryan, a lifelong Catholic, but the people who held them were honest and hardworking, and fiercely loyal to their country, because they believed in what America stood for.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“Privacy and loneliness were the traditional luxuries accorded to a skipper.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger



“The arts and soldiering took time to acquire – time and discipline and desire. No, he was up against bullies. And bullies were cowards. These were mercenaries who acted for money. Shot as, on the other hand, took great pride that he performed his DUTIES for love of country and, though he didn't quite think of it in those terms, for love of his fellow soldiers.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“Poor people have poor options. Chavez found the Army almost by accident, and had found it a true open of security and opportunity and fellowship and respect.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“Politicians are more concerned with “issues” than “principles,” but talked as though the two nouns had the same meaning.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“The President was trapped – and with nearly every president, it had come about from his own words. Presidential promises and statements… The people had this annoying way of remembering them. And even if they didn't, there were journalists and political rivals never passed on a chance to make the necessary reminders.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“The mark of a good officer, Wegener repeatedly told his youngsters, was willingness to admit he had something yet to learn.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger



“There is no seamen in the world who prefers a slow ship to a fast one. The painters painted better, the cooks took a little more time with the meals, and the technicians tightened the bolts just a little more. Their ship was no longer a cripple, and pride broke out in the crew like a rainbow after a summer shower.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“The first step in accomplishing any goal was deciding that it was possible.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


“Under the circumstances, washing without soap wasn’t even as good as kissing your sister.”
― Tom Clancy, quote from Clear and Present Danger


About the author

Tom Clancy
Born place: in Baltimore County, Maryland, The United States
Born date April 12, 1947
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