Half way through the Le Carre biography.

I am totally shocked John/David lacked self confidence and allowed his frenemy James to make him feel bad about his own life, as if he was a do nothing who was too frightened to live.

Why do people think that “quiet” lives , ie lives with no drama, are not living.

How does this insightful ex spy who specialised in profiling and interviewing end up believing a frenemy that being a sexist liar and betrayer is living and anything and everything else is not living and weak

Luckily the influence didn’t greatly interfere with his work discipline.