Lois McMaster Bujold Quotes

born 1949 United States

Lois McMaster Bujold (born 2 November 1949, Columbus, Ohio) is an American author of science fiction and fantasy works, most noted for the works in her Vorkosigan Saga.

United States
Authors
Novelists
Science fiction authors

Also known as: Bujold, Lois McMaster

Random Lois McMaster Bujold quote

543 quotes

Life’s uncertain out there. Things can go down bad, fast, anytime. We all just get a time, in our different ways.

Winterfair Gifts (2004)

Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times begins to seem like a message to be ignored at one’s peril.

The Orphans of Raspay (2019)

All Mark knew was that if it came down to a choice between Kareen and oxygen, he’d prefer to give up oxygen, thanks.

A Civil Campaign (1999)

“The devil can quote scripture, y’know.”
Yes, that was rather what I had in mind…

The Borders of Infinity (1987)

One maneuvers to the limit, but the golden moment demands action. If you miss it, the gods damn you forever. and vice versa.

Labyrinth (1989)

There is a subtle difference between being a prisoner and being a slave. I don’t mistake either for being free. Neither do you.

The Borders of Infinity (1987)

Miles was no musician, but even he could sense an intensity of passion in the playing that went beyond talent, reaching for genius.

Labyrinth (1989)

The writer should always reserve the right to have a better idea.

Lightspeed Magazine interview (2011)

Some saw stars, it seemed, and some saw the spaces between them.

The Warrior's Apprentice (1986)

Only the saints would joke so about the gods, because it was either joke or scream, and they alone knew it was all the same to the gods.

The Curse of Chalion (2000)

Ordinary men and women…die every day. For all sorts of reasons, from random chance to inexorable time. Death is not an Imperial monopoly.

Memory (1996)

He was borrowing trouble, reasoning in advance of his data.

Diplomatic Immunity (2002)

He gave me no sign. I was never the sort to receive portents, or to delude myself that I had. Silence was always my portion, in return for my prayers.

Paladin of Souls (2003)

We are all, every living one of us, doorways between the two realms, that of matter that gives us birth, and that of spirit into which we are born in death.

Paladin of Souls (2003)

Mira does not gossip about her clients. Very rigid rule, I gather. The highest rank of Lodi courtesans don’t; that’s part of how they became the highest rank.

Mira's Last Dance (2017)

“So much for that line of reasoning, Lord Richars,” Ekaterin finished. She sat back with a hand-dusting gesture, and added, by no means under her breath, “Twit.”

A Civil Campaign (1999)

One of the best things about writing is how it redeems, not to mention recycles, all of one's prior experiences, including — or perhaps especially — the failures.

The Vorkosigan Companion (2008)

Power is better than revenge. Power is a live thing, by which you reach out to grasp the future. Revenge is a dead thing, reaching out from the past to grasp you.

Borders of Infinity (1989)

Time. It did not wait for any human want, or grief, or plan. Or careful list. Nearly half her life might be behind her already. It was time to get started on the next half.

The Prisoner of Limnos (2017)

While not reliable enough to be put in charge of anything more complicated than a dishwasher, they were very easy to convince that all their troubles were someone else’s fault.

Cryoburn (2010)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Lois McMaster Bujold (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.