Orson Scott Card Quotes

born 1951 United States

Orson Scott Card (born August 24, 1951) is an American author working in numerous genres. He is best known for his novel Ender's Game and its many sequels.

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Also known as: Card, Orson Scott, Ender

Random Orson Scott Card quote

335 quotes

A dagger has only a single point, but a traitor cuts from anywhere.

Hart's Hope (1983)

Wanting to is the whole lesson; all the rest is practice.

Earthborn (1995)

Once he had been so formidable that he was surrounded by enemies. Now even his enemies has lost interest in him. What clearer sign of failure could you find than that?

The Crystal City (2003)

“A man like that thinks that fear can win loyalty.”
“Plenty of masters with a lash who can testify it works.”
“Don’t win loyalty, just obedience, and only while the lash is in the room.”

The Crystal City (2003)

To face death, that's nothing much. But to feel really stupid when you die, well, that would be insufferable.

The Ships Of Earth (1994)

I've known too many men who never quite felt married no matter how many wives they'd been through. Their own and otherwise.

Treasure Box (1996)

He would rather lose his power for doing right, than keep his power by doing wrong. Because he loves his people more than he loves his office.

Stone Tables (1997)

“You speak metaphorically, I hope,” said Peggy.
“I hope not,” said Becca. “Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.”

Alvin Journeyman (1995)

The ways of love are strange and hard: the love you want is always barred; the love you have you want to change. The ways of love are hard and strange.

Treasure Box (1996)

You're the sort of enemy your enemy must love.

Hart's Hope (1983)

“Calvin, what kind of trouble are you planning to make?”
“No trouble at all,” said Calvin, annoyed. “Why do you think I want to cause trouble?”
“Because you are awake.”

Heartfire (1998)

The dreamers always seem to think their dream is worth the price that other people will pay. They also delude themselves that they will control whatever evil they use to try to bring about their dream.

The Crystal City (2003)

In a way, he lost some of himself, some of his knack, and therefore some of the choices he might have had in life. But in losing those, he gained so much more freedom, so much more power, that he was clear winner in the bargain.

Prentice Alvin (1989)

His vices were the vices of his time and culture, but his virtues transcended the milieu of his life.

Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus (1996)

When we intended to enjoy being cruel, we must transform our victim into either a beast or a god.

Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus (1996)

Whenever I hear you saying, rise and shine, rise and shine, it makes me think how lucky dead people are!

Treasure Box (1996)

It was always from the love of strong women that he had found whatever joy had been granted him in his life.

Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus (1996)

How could you lose me, when you've never had me, never wanted me?

Enchantment (1999)

She grunted. “Nothing unusual?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, if you ask me, that’s pretty unusual right there, if a body was smart enough to notice it.”

Seventh Son (1987)

Arthur had heard Peggy say that she didn't wish for more comfortable furniture, because if the chairs were softer, company would be inclined to stay longer.

The Crystal City (2003)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Orson Scott Card (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.