Bob Woodward

"Deep throat taught me that sources matter more than speed in reporting."

"Persistence in investigation reveals what power wants to hide."

"A reporter must ask uncomfortable questions, even when it costs them access."

"The best stories emerge from months of patient, methodical work."

"You can't write about power without understanding the people who wield it."

"Great reporting requires skepticism paired with an open mind."

"The truth often takes longer to emerge than the initial narrative suggests."

"Watergate taught me that no institution is above accountability."

"Interviews are conversations where listening matters more than talking."

"The most powerful stories are built on facts, not assumptions."

"You must be willing to spend years on a single story if it matters."

"Understanding context separates great journalism from mere reporting."

"Fear of consequences should never silence important reporting."

"The archive is your friend; historical patterns reveal current truths."

"Good reporting means admitting what you don't know and finding out."

"Power responds to the spotlight, even when it tries to hide."

"A single source is suspicion; multiple sources become evidence."

"The best protection for journalists is the truth itself."

"Long-form reporting allows complexity that short pieces cannot capture."

"Relationships built on trust are the foundation of great reporting."

"The questions you don't ask are often the most important ones."

"Documenting power requires understanding its psychology and motivations."

"Verification is not optional; it is the bedrock of credibility."

"History is written first by journalists, then by historians."

"The courage to pursue uncomfortable truths defines journalism."

"Money trails reveal motives when surface explanations fall short."

"Watergate showed that democratic institutions can self-correct through exposure."

"The best interviews happen when subjects believe you're genuinely curious."

"Patient investigation transforms rumors into confirmed facts."

"Power abhors transparency, which is why reporters must demand it."