- Roy Bland: It isn't ordinary flight information, Peter. The source is very private.
- Toby Esterhase: Ultra, ultra sensitive in fact.
- Peter Guillam: In that case, Toby, I'll try and keep my mouth ultra, ultra shut.
- [Bill Haydon chuckles]
- George Smiley: Ever bought a fake picture, Toby?
- Toby Esterhase: I sold a couple once.
- George Smiley: The more you pay for it, the less inclined you are to doubt its authenticity.
- George Smiley: You heard something about his
- [Peter's]
- George Smiley: murderous assignment in French North Africa, I suppose?
- Mendel: Something. Whispers...
- George Smiley: Peter was overmatched and he lost. His agents were hanged. No one recovers entirely from that sort of thing. That is, I wouldn't trust a man who did.
- Bill Haydon: Got a rabbit to pull out of your hat, Percy? You've got that Britain-can-make-it look about you. Very intimidating.
- Roy Bland: As a good socialist, I'm going where the money is. As a good capitalist, I'm sticking with the revolution because if you can't beat it, spy on it.
- George Smiley: What are you going to do about it?
- Control: Depends on "it". I'll wait for "it" to show itself.
- Bill Haydon: I still believe the secret services are the only real expression of a nation's character.
- [Lacon has arrived late for a conference]
- Oliver Lacon: I'm sorry. Traffic. I should've walked.
- Bill Haydon: I think you and Percy between you are contriving to keep me off the streets.