491 quotes
But as grandpop always said, there are just three ways to get ahead; sweat and genius, getting born into the right family, or marrying into it.
Starman Jones (1953)
I was too busy to oblige them by dying just now.
The Past Through Tomorrow (1967)
Don't ever become a pessimist … a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events.
Time Enough for Love (1973)
Clark just looked bored and contemptuous and said nothing, because Clark would not bother to interfere with Armageddon unless there was ten percent in it for him.
Podkayne of Mars (1963)
He tried to tell himself that no one is ever responsible for another person’s actions. He believed it, he tried to live by it. But he found that cold wisdom no comfort.
Farnham's Freehold (1964)
Some people insist that “mediocre” is better than “best.” They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can’t fly. They despise brains because they have none. Pfah!
Have Space Suit—Will Travel (1958)
Listen, son—most women are damn fools and children. But they’ve got more range than we’ve got. The brave ones are braver, the good ones are better—and the vile ones are viler.
The Puppet Masters (1951)
When a cat greets you, he makes a big operation of it, bumping, stropping your legs, buzzing like mischief. But when he leaves, he just walks off and never looks back. Cats are smart.
Tunnel in the Sky (1955)
The police of a state should never be stronger or better armed than the citizenry. An armed citizenry, willing to fight, is the foundation of civil freedom. That’s a personal evaluation, of course.
Beyond This Horizon (1948)
Any organization calling itself “The Friends of This or That” always consisted of someone with an axe to grind, plus the usual assortment of prominent custard heads and professional stuffed shirts.
The Star Beast (1954)
You live and learn. Or you don't live long.
Time Enough for Love (1973)
Aside from mathematics, just two things worth doing—kill a man and love a woman. He had done both; he was rich.
Off the Main Sequence (2005)
I’m not trying to frighten you, but only a fool makes predictions based on ignorance; I am not that sort of fool.
I Will Fear No Evil (1970)
Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other "sins" are invented nonsense.
Time Enough for Love (1973)
The mechanism is ages old. Tyrants used it centuries before the word "psychology" was ever invented. It works, too.
Revolt in 2100 (1953)
One man's "magic" is another man's engineering. "Supernatural" is a null word.
Time Enough for Love (1973)
So-called instincts are instructive, Felix. They point to survival values.
Beyond This Horizon (1948)
Temporal agents always notice time and date; we must.
All You Zombies (1958)
Natural selection—the dying out of the poorly equipped—goes on day in and day out, inexorable and automatic. It is as tireless, as inescapable, as entropy.
Beyond This Horizon (1948)
I don’t think Father Hugo is any more mistaken than the most learned theologian and he might be closer to the truth. Jacob, I don’t think anyone knows Who’s in charge.
I Will Fear No Evil (1970)