Science Fiction Authors

"“I have a reputation for genius,” I said, though I lowered my voice. “It can withstand some eccentricities.”"

"In adolescence, Chesney had drifted away from old-time religion. He found too many contradictions and absurdities in scripture. Besides, he had found a more reliable truth in the elegant architectures of mathematics."

"To me, the human body was not a quasi-metaphysical mystery to be unraveled. It was a kind of soft machine whose parts could be repaired when they broke down, or—even better—replaced entirely with materials God would have used if He’d only had access to teflon and stainless steel."

"The resident said, “I have heard it argued that the world as it is now arranged must be the right order of things, for a competent Creator would not allow disequilibrium.” Grolion found the concept jejeune. “My view is that the world is an arena in which men of deeds and courage drive the flow of events.”"

"The young man glanced at the document. His first thought was that its author must have learned penmanship from a seismograph."

"They wake up the lead guitarist, although it takes him a while to get both his eyes pointed in the same direction. But the bass player is as laid-back as bassmen usually are, and the drummer’s not as insane as most of his peers."

"“That does not sound like I’m getting an answer soon.” “We’re glad you understand.” “No,” says Jason, “I don’t understand!” “Then we’re sorry you don’t understand.”"

"Bunker Hill Sansom—though he told everyone to call him Bunky, and God help any who didn’t—had made his billions by finding new ways to do old things. Inarguably, his ways were better ways, provided your definition of “better” was “more fashionable.”"

"The resident made a casual gesture. “These are matters of history, of which our old Earth has already far too much. We need not consider them.” “True,” said Grolion, “we have only now. But some ‘nows’ are connected to particularly pertinent ‘thens’ and the prudent man takes note of the connections.”"

"“I will give you,” said Grolion, “a promissory note for a handsome sum, redeemable the moment I am restored to my birthright.” “The restoration of your fortunes, though no doubt inevitable, is not guaranteed to arrive before the sun goes out.”"

"Hell, like Heaven, was an autocracy."

"A research scientist is someone who cannot rest content within the confines of existing knowledge, but always itches to know what is over the horizon. Or it’s somebody who doesn’t know to leave well enough alone."

"Life is a hopeless rear guard action against an overwhelming foe; still how can we not admire those who battle on regardless?"

"“I am not one to deny the broadening effects of distant lands,” offered Nofreg, “yet I have often said that the chief benefit of travel is to allow the returned sojourner a renewed appreciation of his native milieu.”"

"“Could Rievor be hiding himself behind some magical cloak?” I asked my other self. “No,” he said. “I believe he is exercising that most potent form of invisibility: the one called, ‘not being present at all.’”"

"“Then you will have to look at an experienced integrator.” “You mean a used and discarded one.” “We could quibble over narrow distinctions and shades of meaning all day, only to greet the evening with nothing accomplished. Or we could press on and solve your problem.”"

"“Down among your... population, in addition to labor organizers, you’re bound to have a few public relations consultants.” “Quite a few,” said the Archfiend. “It’s a field that rewards amoral inventiveness.”"

"“In any case”—he gestured at the car—“this vehicle has achieved a state of permanent inanimation.”"

"“I have a plan.” “What kind of plan?” “A daring and bold one,” he said. “Is that wise?” “It has to be that kind of plan. It’s that kind of cosmos.”"

"“There are, occasionally, rarely, some…difficulties,” she admitted. “That is a word that may cover a great swath of territory,” I said, “from the low foothills of minor inconvenience to the insurmountable peaks of constant vexation.”"

"Persons who disguise themselves when they go out into the world rarely do so for innocent purposes. At best, they mean to pull some merry prank; all too often, they intend a considerably deeper mischief."

"“Isn’t it obvious?” he answered. “No. It is so far from obvious that it has gone right through obscure, breezed past unfathomable and is now completely beyond the reach of my vocabulary.”"

"The combined effect of so many ambulatory sticks and balls, each of whom wore an expression of complete self-satisfaction, added strength to my longstanding belief that the profession of couturier required only a good knowledge of fabric and a malicious sense of humor."

"“You ask if anyone has ‘tested the concept.’ But why would anyone test reality? Reality is not for testing, but for living with.”"

"“I do not wish to experience that again.” “Some people claim that the occasional exposure to fear enhances their enjoyment of more tranquil circumstances.” “Some people ought to be confined for their own good,” my assistant said, “and to prevent them from spreading dangerous inanities.”"

"But from its inception, the labor movement had attracted the same range of opportunists and self-servers as would any activity that offered the unscrupulous an avenue toward power and self-enrichment."

"My alter ego was awake and listening. “Magic,” he said. “To one whose only instrument is a drum, all melodies are much the same,” I answered inwardly."

"Talking was only one of the uses to which Chalivire liked to put her large and loose-lipped mouth; another was filling it with the products of The Braid’s renowned kitchens."

"“Who was it who said that irony is the fundamental operating principle of the universe?” “I believe,” I said, “that it was Henghis Hapthorn.”"

"She could be—he hoped would be—what he had always lacked: a center to the map of his life, that one, necessary fixed point from which he could navigate out into the world and by which he could always find his way back home again."

"Have you considered the possibility that our standards as to what is important may differ?"

"“What is your theory?” my assistant asked, but again I declined to answer. A mistaken theory that never went farther than its originator’s mind does not count as an error."

"I cannot comment on your beliefs. What appears self-evident to one person may seem to another observer to be entirely the product of an idiosyncratic bent."

"Insanity was not unknown among the wealthy. Indeed, some forms of madness had sometimes been cultivated as fashionable accessories."

"Filidor was becoming more and more convinced that he had recently been inhabiting a reality that was at sharp variance to the rest of the world’s."

"“He began to dream the dreams that always seduce a tyrant: powers beyond powers, worlds at his feet, whole realms bowing to his whims.” “And the dreams occluded his faculties,” I said. “It was ever thus, we may be thankful, else tyrants would never fall.”"

"Filidor marveled at the intransigence of adolescence, not remembering that he had possessed an abundance of the same quality not many years since."

"Also, there was a remarkable display of objects that primitive humanity had allegedly thrust through various parts of their bodies—some of them extremely sensitive—for decorative effect. I shuddered slightly at the thought: self-mutilation, though everyone’s right, had always taken me aback."

"“That is unfair,” said Filidor. Gavne shrugged. “Things are as they are. If you quest after justice, young women are the wrong continent to explore. They run more to clemency or spite.”"

"When the Wheel turns, much that is impossible in the old phase becomes commonplace in the new."

"“Magic,” said my integrator, “has rules. At the heart of the willful, associative universe, we find a modicum of rationalism, just as we find uncertainty at the core of the rational cosmos.” “Exactly,” I said. “And there seems no other explanation for it than sheer perversity on the part of whatever entity is responsible for the whole untidy business.” I thought about it a moment more then said, “Perversity, or just a very idiosyncratic sense of humor.”"

"When we have done more traveling together, you will come to see that occasionally we must be other than forthright with local authorities. Many of them lack imagination and react poorly to creativity and unexpected innovation."

"When all the good ideas have been expended, I quoted to myself, one might as well try a bad one."

"The insane had a tendency to cloak others in the strange garments they found hanging in the backs of their own mental wardrobes. So, for that matter, did the rest of us, but the consequences of error were usually less drastic."

"“Wealth tends to generate wealth,” he began. I gave a qualified assent. “If it does not instead give birth to folly.”"

"“Are you familiar with Wallader’s theory that every society is fundamentally organized around one or another of the cardinal sins?” “I believe not,” I said. “He argues that the true seed of every culture, whatever the ideals to which it gives lip service, always turns out to be one of the seven mortal iniquities identified by the ancients: pride, greed, and anger are the most common; lust, gluttony, and envy less so; those based on sloth usually do not last.”"

"“We are all used, all users. With luck, the final tally approximates a balance in our favor. But I think you are one of those who calls the proverbial glass half empty, while I prefer to call it half full.” “No,” said Filidor, “in truth, I have never given these matters much thought. I am one who quaffs the glass empty and calls for it to be refilled.”"

"Well, as I say, authority is always lawfully relinquished, but sometimes the legitimacy is acquired after the relinquishment. “You mean retroactively?” I mean that cause and effect are not always arranged in an ideal sequence. “In other words,” Filidor translated, “not only do victors write the histories, but usurpers also rewrite the rule book to justify the illicit seizure of office.” Perhaps not the most felicitous manner of putting it, but essentially correct. “I am surprised the people put up with such shenanigans. They should rise up.” Unwittingly, I am sure, you put your finger on the flaw in your own reasoning. “How so?” You said, “They should rise up,” not “We should rise up.” As long as it is a matter to be solved by others, it will not be."

"The direct approach is not always the wisest strategy, as those who have fallen off mountains can testify."

"I realized that Chumblot’s brief had told only the official story which, as in many sophisticated societies, departed starkly from the practical facts."