336 quotes
Well, then, arrest him. You can accuse him of something or other afterward.
The Foundation series (1951)
Indeed, it may well be argued that one reason for the decline in science, art, and literature was the increasing absorption of the better minds into a new sort of intellectual pursuit – theology.
The Roman Empire (1967)
An unpleasant nest of nasty, materialistic and aggressive people, careless of the rights of others, imperfectly democratic at home though quick to see the minor slaveries of others, and greedy without end.
Empire novels (1950)
The true discovery of America by mankind came when those first hunting bands crossed over from Siberia 25,000 years ago. This, however, never seems to count. When people speak of the "discovery of America" they invariably mean its discovery by Europeans.
The Shaping of North America (1973)
How can the net amount of entropy of the universe be massively decreased?
The Last Question (1956)
“That was the time to begin all-out preparations for war.”
“On the contrary. That was the time to begin all-out prevention of war.”
The Foundation series (1951)
No matter how various the subject matter I write on, I was a science-fiction writer first and it is as a science-fiction writer that I want to be identified.
In Joy Still Felt (1980)
Necessity makes a joke of civilization.
In Joy Still Felt (1980)
History is a story without an end.
The Greeks: A Great Adventure (1965)
“How does it concern you people? It’s our problem. We’ll solve it. If not, it’s our own particular road to hell.”
“Better your own road to hell than another’s road to heaven, eh?”
Robot series (1950)
Why, he wondered, did so many people spend their lives not trying to find answers to questions—not even thinking of questions to begin with? Was there anything more exciting in life than seeking answers?
The Foundation series (1951)
“You’re the U. S. Robot’s psychologist, aren’t you?”
“Robopsychologist, please.”
“Oh, are robots so different from men, mentally?”
“Worlds different.” She allowed herself a frosty smile, “Robots are essentially decent.”
Robot series (1950)
Had Hannibal had a government behind him that knew how to exploit victories – had he been born a Roman, for instance – he might have conquered the world.
The Land of Canaan (1971)
There can never be a man so lost as one who is lost in the vast and intricate corrdiors of his own lonely mind, where none may reach and none may save. There never was a man so helpless as one who cannot remember.
Empire novels (1950)
Scientific theories can always be improved and are improved. That is one of the glories of science. It is the authoritarian view of the Universe that is frozen in stone and cannot be changed, so that once it is wrong, it is wrong forever.
The Nearest Star (1989)
He always pictured himself a libertarian, which to my way of thinking means "I want the liberty to grow rich and you can have the liberty to starve". It's easy to believe that no one should depend on society for help when you yourself happen not to need such help.
I. Asimov : A Memoir (1994)
You know that prudery is only the other side of prurience. The words are even on the same page in the dictionary.
The Gods Themselves (1972)
“Ponyets! They sent you?”
“Pure chance,” said Ponyets, bitterly, “or the work of my own personal malevolent demon.”
The Foundation series (1951)
The stars, like dust, encircle me
In living mists of light;
And all of space I seem to see
In one vast burst of sight.
Empire novels (1950)
Gillbret said, “Statistics show that one out of three stars has a planetary system.”
Biron nodded. It was a well-worn statistic. Every child was taught that in elementary Galactography.
Empire novels (1950)