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Times before number, condemned criminals had waited for their last dawn. Yet until the very end they could hope for a reprieve; human judges can show mercy. But against the laws of nature, there is no appeal.

— Arthur C. Clarke The Wind From the Sun: Stories of the Space Age (1972)

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Justice

More quotes by Arthur C. Clarke

Space can be mapped and crossed and occupied without definable limit; but it can never be conquered.

We'll Never Conquer Space (1960)

The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.

Credo (1991)

Human judges can show mercy. But against the laws of nature, there is no appeal.

Maelstrom II (1965)

I don't believe in God but I'm very interested in her.

Multiple Intelligences in Practice : Enhancing Self-esteem and Learning in the Classroom (2006)

As our own species is in the process of proving, one cannot have superior science and inferior morals. The combination is unstable and self-destroying.

Voices from the Sky : Previews of the Coming Space Age (1967)

All Arthur C. Clarke quotes →

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Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.

Francis Bacon Meditationes sacræ (1597)

If the church ... does not make God's liberation of the oppressed central in its mission and proclamation, how can it rest easy with a condemned criminal as the dominant symbol of its message?

James H. Cone Speaking the Truth: Ecumenism, Liberation, and Black Theology (1986)

It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing.

Muhammad

It is the law of life that if you are kind to someone you feel happy. If you are cruel you are unhappy. And if you hurt someone, you will be hurt back.

Cary Grant Love – That’s All Cary Grant Ever Thinks About (1964)

Attribution

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