Quotes from the Movie Clear and Present Danger

Let me make this very clear: this is your deal, not mine, so unless I have written authorization, this whole thing is over before it starts because I'm not going to be the only one left without a chair when the music stops.

Ritter

They're in. Congratulation, James, you've got your own little war.

Ritter

What is that? What is it you think you have there?

Ritter

You are such a Boy Scout! You see everything in black and white!

Ritter

You weren't kept out of it, you're NECK DEEP in it! You went before Congress and you got the money for it!

Ritter

Cutter couldn't tie his own shoes without permission.

Ritter

Wrong again. I have an *autographed get-out-of-jail-free card*! "The President of the United States authorizes Deputy Director of the CIA Robert Ritter to conduct 'Operation Reciprocity' including all necessary funding and support. This action is deemed important to the national security of the United States etcetera, etcetera, etcetera." You don't have one of these, do you Jack? [as Ryan walks away] Gray! The world is gray, Jack!

Ritter

These drug cartels represent a clear and present danger to the national security of the United States.

The President

How dare you come into this office and bark at me like some little junkyard dog? I am the President of the United States!

The President

You'll take the blame. Cutter and Ritter will take some too, but it won't amount to much. They'll get a slap on the wrist and $20,000 an hour on the lecture circuit. The rest, you'll dump on Greer. Yes, you'll take him down with you. You'll destroy his reputation. But it won't go any further than that. It's the ol' Potomac two-step, Jack.

The President

Sniper approached the instructor by being a sneaky bastard, Sergeant Major!

Chavez

You know what you think about when youre lying here. You know youre going to die. You think its alright. You lived a long time. You had a family that loved you. You had a job that you thought made a difference, that you thought was honorable. And then you see this.

Admiral Greer

You took an oath, if you recall, when you first came to work for me. And I don't mean to the National Security Advisor of the United States, I mean to his boss... and I don't mean the President. You gave your word to his boss: you gave your word to the people of the United States. Your word is who you are.

Admiral Greer

Uh, my pilot and I will have to take it for a test drive.

Jack Ryan

I'm afraid if I dig any deeper no-one's going to like what I find.

Jack Ryan