39 quotes
Rules had been made, and even enforced from time to time. When the first absolute prohibition of time meddling came along, it was already far too late.
Dinosaur Beach (1971)
“Him and his pet dragon—”
“More folklore, I take it?”
“Well, I never actually seen this dragon.”
“Hmmm. Funny how nobody I’ve met has seen it, but they all believe in it.”
The Time Bender (1966)
It was easy to see the mechanics of schizophrenia at work here. From wishing, it was an easy jump to believe.
The Other Side of Time (1965)
Too late, I realized how I had trapped myself. I had let sleep in as a guest, and death had slipped through the door.
Dinosaur Beach (1971)
Magic, after all? He felt the untrimmed hair at the nape of his neck rising. But then, maybe it was just electronics—magic rationalized.
The Time Bender (1966)
Less than total control is no control at all. You will obey my instructions, Mr. Ravel. In every detail. Or I will scrap the project.
Dinosaur Beach (1971)
So—let’s remember the Uranium Rule. Don’t Do It! The Other Guy May Be Bigger!
Timetracks (1972)
“Quelius—you’re nuts—did you know that?”
“Of course. That’s quite all right. Better embarked on an exciting insanity than moldering away in dull normality. One thing you can’t deny: we psychotics lead interesting lives.”
The Shape Changer (1972)
Strange—I go along for months at a time—even years—without so much as a mild concussion—and then bam—slam—bash! They start using my head for a practice dummy. That’s how I can tell that I’m having an adventure.
The Shape Changer (1972)
I know; you don’t consider it impossible. That’s the trouble with you; you don’t consider anything impossible. It would make life a lot easier for me if you’d let me rule out a few items—like leprechauns who hang out at Stonehenge.
A Trace of Memory (1963)
Judge a chap on what he does, and not what he is, eh? None of us can help our natural tendencies—and perhaps overcoming one’s instincts is in the end a nobler achievement than not having the impulse in the first place.
The Other Side of Time (1965)
Adventure has been defined as somebody else having a difficult time, a long way away. (p. 17)
The Star Treasure (1970)
I know it’s hard to grasp at first. I seem to recall I was a bit difficult to convince once. We are accustomed to thinking we know everything. There’s a powerful tendency to just disbelieve anything that doesn’t fit the preconception.
The Other Side of Time (1965)
I took all these details in as the mighty carnivore looked me over, yawned, and paced majestically toward me, frowning across at the distant herds like a troubled politician wondering who to pay the bribe to.
The Other Side of Time (1965)
“You’re talking to yourself.”
“It’s all right. I’m not listening.” (p. 78)
The Star Treasure (1970)
“None of that, either,” he commanded. “Keep your mind on the immediate problem—just as soon as you figure out what the immediate problem is,” he added.
The World Shuffler (1970)
I was still alive, but that was a mere detail, subject to change. (p. 13)
The Star Treasure (1970)
“It’s an old trick,” the security chief said. “Reverse cunning, we call it in the security game; indistinguishable from utter stupidity.”
The World Shuffler (1970)
Out of the synthesis of opposites, a cancerous growth called Beauty came into being; obscene antisurvival concepts named Loyalty, Courage, Justice were born into the universe.
Wherever the elemental Purities encountered this monstrous hybrid, a battle of extermination was joined. Good could compromise with Evil, but neither could meet with the half-breed, Art.
A Plague of Demons (1965)