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Virginity is now a mere preamble or waiting room to be got out of as soon as possible; it is without significance. Old age is similarly a waiting room, where you go after life's over and wait for cancer or a stroke. The years before and after the menstrual years are vestigial: the only meaningful condition left to women is that of fruitfulness.

— Ursula K. Le Guin Dancing at the Edge of the World (1989)

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More quotes by Ursula K. Le Guin

When true myth rises into consciousness, that is always its message. You must change your life.

Myth and Archetype in Science Fiction (1976)

The end justifies the means. But what if there never is an end? All we have is means.

The Lathe of Heaven (1971)

Great artists make the roads; good teachers and good companions can point them out. But there ain't no free rides, baby.

The Language of the Night (1979)

A profound love between two people involves, after all, the power and chance of doing profound hurt.

The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)

When action grows unprofitable, gather information; when information grows unprofitable, sleep.

The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Ursula K. Le Guin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.