226 quotes
However, proof or lack thereof are unnecessary to the mind that must believe. And that mind becomes doubly narrow and doubly dangerous when it is given what it perceives as proof. Then it can begin to create that in which it believes.
Cold Copper Tears (1988)
“We all do that. In every day life it’s called making excuses.” True, raw motives are too rough to swallow. By the time most people reach my age, they have glossed their motives so often and so well they fall completely out of touch with them.
The Black Company (1984)
I have always found the religious tolerance of the southerners amazing and disconcerting, though it was really only an ancient habit predicated on the fact that no religious community was strong enough to show the rest the errors in their thinking at swordspoint.
She Is the Darkness (1997)
Baladitya understands that in addition to being foreign territory the past is, as history, a hall of mirrors that reflect the needs of souls observing from the present. Absolute fact serves the hungers of only a few disconnected people. Symbol and faith serve the rest.
Soldiers Live (2000)
I jumped up, seized the moment by the scruff of the neck and seat of the pants, and ran him out the door to the accompaniment of appropriate old-time remarks about seedy little army types who failed to acknowledge the natural superiority of their overlords, the Marines.
Sweet Silver Blues (1987)
I went back to staring tomorrow in the face. Better than looking backward. But tomorrow refused to shed its mask.
The Black Company (1984)
Beneath my breath I continued my conversation with God. As usual, He did not trouble Himself to defend His Works to me. My fault for being a woman.
Water Sleeps (1999)
I reminded myself that Khang Phi is bereft of arms. That the monks abhor violence. That they always yield to strength, then seduce it with reason and wisdom.
Yes, sometimes it does take a while.
Soldiers Live (2000)
She made no effort to peel herself from me. I thought about pushing her away—sometime next week.
Sweet Silver Blues (1987)
Halfway up I met an old priest. He smiled and nodded benevolently, one of those guys who are what priests are supposed to be, and as a consequence, remain at the foot of the episcopal ladder throughout their lives.
Cold Copper Tears (1988)
“It would take an entire nation a thousand years to build something this vast. No monument so huge can be a good thing.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Only a very great evil could remain so single of purpose, so uncaring of cost, as to create something so ultimately useless.”
She Is the Darkness (1997)
Smeds did not like it. It was getting complicated. He did not like things complicated. Trying to untangle them usually made things worse.
The Silver Spike (1989)
Slight gasp. “You grow too bold.”
Didn’t I? “I’m sorry. Thinking out loud. An unhealthy habit known to be the cause of bruises and major hemorrhaging.”
The White Rose (1985)
Shed swallowed. “That isn’t a plan that does much for my nerves.”
“Your nerves aren’t my problem, Shed. They’re yours. You lost them. Only you can find them again.”
Shadows Linger (1984)
You mess with people’s religion and you mess with fire. Even people who don’t much give a damn. Religion is something that gets hammered in early, and never really goes away. And has powers to move which go beyond anything rational.
Shadows Linger (1984)
You are a hired sword. A soldier. You should not be playing philosophical games. Not even with yourself.
Bleak Seasons (1996)
He jumped down, started waving his arms around while he went to squeaking and squealing in one of those languages wizards use so the rest of us will think there is something terribly strange and mystical about what they do, kind of like lawyers.
She Is the Darkness (1997)
I got a little too intense. He backed off and gave me the look you give the nut on the corner preaching that pixies are the secret masters and if we don’t do something they’re going to run off with our sisters and daughters.
Sweet Silver Blues (1987)
Seemed to have made peace with the bad times. Some manage that with comparative ease. Others remain crippled for life. Those are not the sort who remain soldiers. They become ex-soldiers and get intimate with wine or poppies.
Soldiers Live (2000)
But how do you get rid of a god? Is there any religion where they teach you that? How to get your god off your back if he gets too damned obnoxious? No. All you ever get is advice on how to bribe them to leave you alone for a few minutes.
She Is the Darkness (1997)