121 quotes
Maia recognized a look of true religion in the other woman’s eyes. A version and interpretation that conveniently justified what had already been decided.
Glory Season (1993)
“Life is the continuation of existence, yet no thing endures. We are all patterns, seeking to propagate. Patterns which bring other patterns into being, then vanish, as if we’ve never been.”
Glory Season (1993)
In the end, both extremes had more in common with each other than either did with the middle.
Glory Season (1993)
Cultural contamination that is directed outward is always seen as “enlightenment.”
Glory Season (1993)
“It’s magic,” the chief cook concluded, in awe.
”No, not magic,” the ship’s doctor replied. “It’s much more. It’s mathematics.”
Glory Season (1993)
Some smart moves were little more than nicely padded traps.
Glory Season (1993)
Apparently, the Fates were not so unsubtle as to deal him another blow just yet. He knew they didn’t operate that way. They always let you hope for a while longer, then strung it out before they really let you have it.
The Postman (1985)
Of course we can establish constitutional checks and balances, but those won’t mean a thing unless citizens make sure the safeguards are taken seriously. The greedy and the power-hungry will always look for ways to break the rules, or twist them to their advantage.
The Postman (1985)
She had called in the debt that parents owe a child for bringing her, unasked, into a strange world. One should never make an offer without knowing full well what will happen if it is accepted.
The Uplift War (1987)
How far do we owe loyalty to our creators’ dream? When have we earned the right to dream for ourselves?
Glory Season (1993)
It could be worse. I can’t think how right now, but I’m sure it could be worse.
Glory Season (1993)
Words penetrated the tank from the outer room. They were tantalizing, like those ghosts of meaning in a great symphony—hinting that the composer had caught a glimpse of something notes could only vaguely convey and words could never even approach.
Startide Rising (1983)
Nelson replayed his last musings to himself, and silently laughed. Listen to you! Jen was right. You're a born philosopher. In other words, full of shit.
Earth (1990)
Well, organic imagination doesn’t have to make sense, I recalled. Nor must paranoia be reasonable. It’s a beast that barks at nothing…till the day it’s right.
Kiln People (2002)
It was a queer, disturbing instant of recognition. We all create monsters in our minds. The only important difference may be which of us let our monsters become real.
Earth (1990)
Yes, evil thrives on secrecy.
Kiln People (2002)
The advance of human knowledge has become — at long last — a vividly enjoyable spectator sport! And a growing movement toward amateur science shows there is room for participants at every level.
Orbit interview (2002)
At her station in life, wisdom dictated keeping a low profile.
And yet...
Glory Season (1993)
We already live a very long time for mammals, getting three times as many heartbeats as a mouse or elephant. It never seems enough though, does it?
Orbit interview (2002)
There was that word quaint again. It seemed to refer patronizingly to anything simple or backward, from the viewpoint of a city-bred tourist.
Glory Season (1993)