25 quotes
In fact, of course, there is no secret knowledge; no one knows anything that can’t be found on a shelf in the public library.
Ishmael (1992)
The problem is that man’s conquest of the world has itself devastated the world.
Ishmael (1992)
This is precisely how someone speaks who imagines that he is the world’s divinely appointed ruler.
Ishmael (1992)
You must face the fact that increasing food production doesn’t feed your hungry, it only fuels your population explosion.
Ishmael (1992)
The gazelle and the lion are enemies only in the minds of the Takers.
Ishmael (1992)
If the will is there, the method will be found.
Ishmael (1992)
Five severed fingers do not make a hand.
Ishmael (1992)
Of course it’s not enough. But if you begin anywhere else, there’s no hope at all.
Ishmael (1992)
People say that I’m sour and misanthropic, and I tell them they’re probably right. Argument of any sort, on any subject, has always seemed like a waste of time to me.
Ishmael (1992)
We don’t need prophets to tell us how to live; we can find out for ourselves by consulting what’s actually there.
Ishmael (1992)
The Leavers and the Takers are enacting two separate stories, based on entirely different and contradictory premises.
Ishmael (1992)
The world was not made for any one species.
Ishmael (1992)
Once you exempt yourself from the law of limited competition, everything in the world except your food and the food of your food becomes an enemy to be exterminated.
Ishmael (1992)
Daunting isn’t nearly strong enough. To call it daunting is like calling the Atlantic damp.
Ishmael (1992)
But, alas, a law is catching up to them. They don’t know such a law even exists, but this ignorance affords them no protection from its effects.
Ishmael (1992)
In order to make their story come true, the Takers have to put an end to creation itself—and they’re doing a damned good job of it.
Ishmael (1992)
Mankind was not needed to bring order to the world.
Ishmael (1992)
It should be noted that what is crucial to our survival as a race is not the redistribution of power and wealth within the prison but rather the destruction of the prison itself.
Ishmael (1992)
The premise of the Taker story is the world belongs to man.... The premise of the Leaver story is man belongs to the world.
Ishmael (1992)
Adam wasn’t the progenitor of our race, he was the progenitor of our culture.
Ishmael (1992)