543 quotes
But even the gods cannot see infinitely far ahead. Our free wills cloud Their vision, even though Their eyes are more piercing than ours. The gods do not plan, so much as take advantage.
The Hallowed Hunt (2005)
Save me from that! To pour your life into sons for eighteen or twenty years, and then have the government take them away and waste them cleaning up after some failure of politics—no thanks.
Shards of Honor (1986)
It's an ancient and honorable term for the final step in any engineering project. Turn it on, see if it smokes.
All the worry people expend over not existing after they die, yet nary a one ever seems to spare a moment to worry about not having existed before they were conceived. Or at all. After all, one sperm over and we would have been our sisters, and we’d never have been missed.
Cryoburn (2010)
“Your pleasure, my lord?” he inquired nervously.
To be anywhere but here, doing anything but this.
The Hallowed Hunt (2005)
At the moment I have very little evidence and lots of theories. I’m itching to reverse the proportions.
Komarr (1998)
Aren’t family squabbles jolly fun? Bleeding ulcers run in my family, we give them to each other.
The Mountains of Mourning (1989)
I do not know where I am going. But I am quite weary enough of where I’ve been.
The Hallowed Hunt (2005)
Kareen was by no means sure Mark was a potential husband. He was still working his heart out on becoming a potential human being.
A Civil Campaign (1999)
Four thousand, so many! It matters less where I begin, as that I begin.
The Hallowed Hunt (2005)
A stunning first impression was not the same thing as love at first sight. But surely it was an invitation to consider the matter.
Paladin of Souls (2003)
I am not here to vent my feelings. I am here to achieve my goals.
Komarr (1998)
I wouldn’t be lying. I’d just be editing my report for length.
Memory (1996)
Rian seemed less and less like a damsel in distress all the time. In fact, he was beginning to wonder if he was trying to rescue the dragon.
Cetaganda (1996)
Hi, I’m a hero, but I can’t tell you why. It’s classified.
Cetaganda (1996)
Even after four days of oatmeal and blue cheese dressing, they were a disappointment.
“Are you sure this isn’t instant boots?” asked Cordelia.
Shards of Honor (1986)
“I thought you already knew everything.”
“Knowledge is not the same thing as understanding. I have a profound need to understand. Everything.”
The Assassins of Thasalon (2021)
It wasn’t fair, for people to go and change on him, while his back was turned being dead. To change without giving notice, or even asking permission.
Memory (1996)
I know you have courage, and I know you have will. The rest is just picking yourself up and ramming into the wall again and again until it falls down.
The Mountains of Mourning (1989)
Vorreedi stated dangerously, “I am not a mushroom, Lieutenant Vorkosigan.”
To be kept in the dark and fed on horseshit, right. Miles sighed inwardly.
Cetaganda (1996)