19 quotes
People don’t mind poking into other people’s business—they just don’t want other people poking into theirs.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
A committee’s a good way to end up with a lot of talk and no action.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
In safety and in security, in peril and plague, in victory and vengeance, may your course be ever your own.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
Maybe you should’ve been more careful, but hindsight’s perfect and we aren’t.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
Your problem, you pea-brained, overbearing, pompous crayfish, is that you think you have any idea of what you’re dealing with.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
Living creatures are essentially biological carbon-based nanotech.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
I cannot help but think that anyone who wants power for those reasons really is not the person I want to have it.
Spheres of Influence (2013)
It almost sounds romantic, in a facing-execution-together sort of way.
Spheres of Influence (2013)
If you’re a sensible man, you get in the habit of being very cautious of making extreme pronouncements when one’s in the sciences, especially when it’s not your core field.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
But you know there’s always that nagging set of voices out there worried that someone is doing something bad with that freedom—and of course the problem is, sometimes they’re right.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
Well, like many fanatic creeds, if you accept the basic postulates, you can make a twisted sense out of anything.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
I am a scientist. I do not believe in gods or demons.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
Hmph. Just remembered that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent—
Yeah, Duquesne interrupted with a grin, because the competent resort to violence MUCH sooner, before it’s too late!
Spheres of Influence (2013)
They have certain rather insular attitudes which makes it difficult to maintain any long-term cooperation. It is not pleasant to work with someone who thinks of your entire species as a waste of resources.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
When people can have pretty much whatever they want for the asking, and when privacy and security can be assured by the same technologies...well, pretty soon no one needs a government for much.
Spheres of Influence (2013)
His hand contracted on the odd carven rod, a tiny thing that glittered with hints of lights and circuits and, at the same time, bone and gems, a wand constructed by an engineer, or a transmitter assembled by a shaman.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
I will admit that I have not heard that he would directly violate his word or go back on a bargain, though he is certainly more than capable of obfuscation and creative interpretation where it suits him.
Grand Central Arena (2010)
“Although I cannot pretend it is merely a social visit.”
“Of course—and in truth, I would be disappointed if it were! You have so much to learn, as do we, and to waste that time merely on formalities?”
Spheres of Influence (2013)
“Though I hope we get out more, the Arena looks fascinating and all this talk-talk-talk is making me itchy, and no one’s tried to kill the captain yet!”
Orphan gave a subdued buzz-chuckle. “One would almost think you want her to be attacked.”
“Well, of course! What use being a bodyguard if you never actually get to do any WORK?”
Spheres of Influence (2013)