74 quotes
And in the time it had taken to reflect upon the significance of the moment, the moment was past. That was, after all, the nature of moments.
Trial by Fire (2014)
“Whatever destiny we assign to ourselves also defines our doom. It is there, lurking, waiting, from the instantiation of sentience. It is the antipodal defect of the virtue we call ‘foresight.’”
Marque of Caine (2019)
Well, no plan survives contact with reality and today is no exception.
Caine's Mutiny (2017)
You’re very cheery. Too cheery. So I’m guessing today’s news is bad.
Fire with Fire (2013)
Bigotry was not only invulnerable to the appeals of logic and deduction; it was often blind to counterproofs such as those Yaargraukh had just witnessed.
Caine's Mutiny (2017)
It’s bad enough that you’re plying a trade for which you haven’t the aptitude or integrity, but you could at least check your conclusion against the facts.
Trial by Fire (2014)
I find it interesting how many of you, when watching a plan go awry, are so blinded by your frustration that you are unable to learn from what you have witnessed.
Trial by Fire (2014)
That means we have nothing to shoot at, no efficacious response. So we do something pointless. And we feel better.
Trial by Fire (2014)
“Aren’t you even going to wish me luck?”
“We do not believe in luck, Caine Riordan. However, I wish enlightenment unto you. In every passing second.”
Marque of Caine (2019)
So what you are characterizing as conspiracy is merely an unfortunate coincidence.
Fire with Fire (2013)
Well, so be it. Today we only have time for the truth. Battles are won by facts and physics, not self-congratulatory ideology.
Caine's Mutiny (2017)
Veriden cut an annoyed glance at Riordan but said nothing; he suspected that even she saw the irony in starting an argument over whether she was argumentative.
Raising Caine (2015)
“You mean, control my instincts?”
“No, most of your species can learn to do that. The true challenge is whether you can control your predisposition to assume moral equivalencies where none exist.”
Marque of Caine (2019)
You gotta remember that in war, you’re not deciding between the bad thing to and the good thing. You’re choosing between the bad and the worse. And you can’t control the shit that happens after you choose.
Trial by Fire (2014)
“Corporal, I’m in charge here—”
“Doctor, you are in charge here. But this assault rifle has a special veto power, if you get my drift.”
Fire with Fire (2013)
If, fourteen years ago, he had entertained secret hopes of leaving a discernible, enduring mark on the legacy of humankind, he was now fully disabused of them.
Fire with Fire (2013)
“Caine has a serious flaw when it comes to working for the government.”
“Which is?”
“Well, he has this real bad habit of telling the truth.”
Trial by Fire (2014)
Riordan almost smiled. “You sound like another historian I know.”
“Historian?” She stiffened. “I am an observer. I do not claim to convey a unified story, just the pieces for which I have data.”
Marque of Caine (2019)
“Would anyone, even low-breeds, be so ingenuous to believe such a tale?”
“Remarkably, yes. Their power to believe what they wish, if not given incontrovertible evidence to the contrary, is rather astonishing.”
Caine's Mutiny (2017)
“So,” sighed Rulaine, “we’re pretty much screwed.”
Yaargraukh’s black eyes stared. “I do not understand your expression—‘screwed?’ This is a carpentry metaphor?”
Bannor almost smiled. “Not exactly.”
Caine's Mutiny (2017)