Jack Reacher – Character Quotes

Best are shooting weapons, second best are stabbing weapons, third best are slashing weapons. Blunt instruments are way down the list. They slow hand speed. Their uncontrolled momentum is disadvantageous after a miss.

Coffee, good for what ails you.

All cities are the same, and all cities are different. They all have colors.

Four types of people join the military. First, for people like me, it's a family trade. Second, there are patriots, eager to serve their country. Third, there are people who just need a job. And fourth, there are people who want to kill other people. The military is the only place where it's legal to do that.

People who wasted time and energy cursing recent errors were certain losers.

An old, old process, exploited by fortune tellers everywhere. Steer a guy through an endless series of yes-no, right-wrong questions, and in no time at all a convincing illusion of intimacy built itself up. A simple psychological trick, sharpened by listening carefully to answers, feeling the way, and playing the odds.

Sleep when you can, because you never know when you're going to sleep again. That was the old army rule.

If in doubt turn left.

Strength and brains. A dangerous mixture.

Rule one: Be on your feet and ready.
Rule two: Show them what they're messing with.
Rule three: Identify the ringleader.
Rule four: The ringleader is the one who moves first.
Rule five: Never back off.

True randomness is impossible for a human to achieve. There are always patterns.

You don't start fights but you sure as hell finish, and you don't lose either. The best way to lose was to assume it was over when it wasn't yet.

Better safe than sorry.