Ryk E. Spoor

"Living creatures are essentially biological carbon-based nanotech."

"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."

"People don’t mind poking into other people’s business—they just don’t want other people poking into theirs."

"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."

"I am a scientist. I do not believe in gods or demons."

"Your problem, you pea-brained, overbearing, pompous crayfish, is that you think you have any idea of what you’re dealing with."

"In safety and in security, in peril and plague, in victory and vengeance, may your course be ever your own."

"Well, like many fanatic creeds, if you accept the basic postulates, you can make a twisted sense out of anything."

"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."

"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."

"Maybe you should’ve been more careful, but hindsight’s perfect and we aren’t."

"A committee’s a good way to end up with a lot of talk and no action."

"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."

"I cannot help but think that anyone who wants power for those reasons really is not the person I want to have it."

"“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?”"

"“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?”"

"It almost sounds romantic, in a facing-execution-together sort of way."

"“But there has to be an alternative.” “Why does there have to be one, Captain Austin?” Sethrik asked quietly. “Often the universe does not give us choices.”"

"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!"

"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."

"“I’m sure you’ll figure out how to make a system of simple laws that work.” “Yes, right after the perpetual motion machine I’m patenting,” he said cheerfully."

"“So,” Simon said slowly, looking around at the others, “the Leader of Humanity is going to risk herself on a ship with a sometimes devious ally, traveling to some secret destination in the Deeps of the Arena, to confront some nameless force where there won’t even be a Sky Gate to help us return if things go wrong?” He stood and lifted his glass. “Sign me up, Captain!”"