115 quotes
If there is such a phenomenon as absolute evil, it consists in treating another human being as a thing.
The Shockwave Rider (1975)
You have many years to live—do things you will be proud to remember when you're old.
Stand on Zanzibar (1968)
Men change their gods, and when they have changed them often enough they cease to fear their power.
The Atlantic Abomination (1960)
If you want to know what's shortly due for the guillotine look for the most obvious of all symptoms: extremism.
Stand on Zanzibar (1968)
—Among the other things lunatics make: their own version of truth.
Quicksand (1967)
—Blessed are they who expect the worst, for they shall get it!
Quicksand (1967)
And by the way, it’s knowledge that moves mountains, you know, not faith.
Entry to Elsewhen (1972)
It’s common platitude that knowledge is neutral but every now and then it would be useful if it were on your side rather than theirs.
The Jagged Orbit (1969)
We’re aware of the scale of the planet, so we don’t accept that our own circumscribed horizons constitute reality. Much more real is what’s relayed to us by the TV.
Stand on Zanzibar (1968)
Amid the turmoil of change, old people could do no more than wonder what had hit them, and long without enthusiasm for the simpler past.
The Whole Man (1964)
We cannot allow quibbles to stand in the way of the truth.
Timescoop (1969)
Like all neo-puritans you have a mind like an open drain.
The Jagged Orbit (1969)
A doctor is as good as the researchers backing him up.
Entry to Elsewhen (1972)
Western culture is undergoing a process of transition from guilt-oriented, with a conscience, to shame-oriented, with a morbid fear of being found out.
The Jagged Orbit (1969)
How can a man be so brilliant and so obtuse?
Total Eclipse (1974)
His brief and frustrating dialogue with them had convinced him that they must divide the human race into three categories: staff, patients and potential patients.
The Jagged Orbit (1969)
First you use machines, then you wear machines, and then ...? Then you serve machines.
Stand on Zanzibar (1968)
Never marry a good church-going girl, Billy! They can always find moral justifications for anything they feel like doing, no matter how it hurts other people.
The Stone That Never Came Down (1973)
HIPCRIME You committed one when you opened this book. Keep it up. It's our only hope.
Stand on Zanzibar (1968)
There’s an old saying: The genius sees what happens, but the plodder sees what he expects to happen.
Total Eclipse (1974)