16 quotes
Pop, who maintained that a wise man could not be insulted, since truth could not insult and untruth was not worthy of notice.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
Most things are right or wrong only in their backgrounds; few things are good or evil in themselves. But things that are right or wrong according to their culture, really are so.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
Son, people do odd things for money, but they’ll do still more drastic things for power over money. Anybody sittin’ close to a billion credits is in danger; it’s like keeping a pet rattlesnake.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
“Pay, are all paymasters dishonest?”
“Only the good ones.”
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
With rank goeth privileges—so it ever shall be. But also with it go responsibility and obligation, always more onerous than the privileges are pleasant.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
As Thorby learned to use his mind, he found that he liked to; he developed an insatiable appetite for the printed page.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
But I warn you, it won’t be fun. Nobody owns a business; the business owns him. You’re a slave to it.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
He was caught in the old dilemma of the man with unintegrated values, who eats meat but would rather somebody else did the butchering.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
He was finding it ruinously expensive to be rich.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
Since Thorby had no talent he became an actor.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
I used to wonder what it was like to be rich. Now I am and it turns out to be mostly headaches.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
But mathematics Thorby saw no use in, other than the barbaric skill of counting money. But presently he learned that mathematics need not have use; it was a game, like chess but more fun.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
“Customs tell a man who he is, where he belongs, what he must do. Better illogical customs than none; men cannot live together without them. From an anthropologist’s view, ’justice’ is a search for workable customs.”
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
I’m not lazy, I’m efficient.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
If you lie to me, I’ll catch you…eventually. Lying to other people is your business, but I can tell you this: once a man gets a reputation as a liar, he might as well be struck dumb, for people do not listen to the wind.
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)
“What can I do for you?”
“Uh, is this confidential?”
“Privileged, son. The word is ‘privileged.’ You don’t ask a lawyer that; he’s either honest or he ain’t. Me, I’m middlin’ honest. You take your chances.”
Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)