Finally, Carol said in a tone of hopelessness, "Darling, can I ask you to forgive me?" The tone hurt Therese more than the question. "I love you, Carol." "But do you see what it means?

— Patricia Highsmith

For the hundredth time, he examined his face in the bathroom mirror, patiently touched every scratch with the styptic pencil, and repowered them. He ministered to his face and hands objectively, as if they were not a part of himself. When his eyes met the staring eyes in the mirror, they slipped away as they must have slipped away, Guy thought, that first afternoon on the train, when he had tried to avoid Bruno’s eyes.

— Patricia Highsmith

He could feel the belligerence growing in Freddie Miles as surely as if his huge body were generating a heat that he could feel across the room.

— Patricia Highsmith

He did look like an Italian of the worst type, though Vic didn't think he was, and it was an insult to the Italian race to assume that he was. He resembled no particular race, only an amalgamation of the worst elements of various Latin peoples. Furthermore, he looked as if he had spent all his life dodging blows that were probably aimed at him for good reason.

— Patricia Highsmith

Her life was a series of zigzags. At nineteen, she was anxious.

— Patricia Highsmith

Honestly, I don't understand why people get so worked up about a little murder!

— Patricia Highsmith

Honesty, for me, is usually the worst policy imaginable.

— Patricia Highsmith

I'd had a little feeling of destiny. Because, you see, what I mean about affinities is true from friendships down to even the accidental glance at someone on the street-there's always a definite reason somewhere. I think even the poets would agree with me.

— Patricia Highsmith

I do not understand people who like to make noise; consequently I fear them, and since I fear them, I hate them.

— Patricia Highsmith

I had depressing thoughts that the theme, even though I had thought of it, was better than I was as a writer. Henry James or Thomas Mann could easily write it, but not I. 'I'm thinking of writing it from the point of view of someone at the hotel who observes her,' I said, but this did not fill me with much hope. Then my friend, who is not a writer, suggested I try it from the omniscient author's point of view.

— Patricia Highsmith