The gods do not protect fools. Fools are protected by more capable fools.
Imagine that in the most sarcastic tone you can, and you’ll have some idea of how it sounded. (You know, just imagine everything it says in the most sarcastic tone possible.)
If a grasshopper tries to fight a lawnmower, one may admire his courage but not his judgement.
“I am no coward sir! I shall stand and fight!"
“Well, I am,” said Sal. "So can we go… please?”
“You know that game we sometimes play, sitting in a square in the Nest, tossing a ball around? Courage is like a ball, son. A person can hold it only so long, and then he’s got to toss it to someone else. When it’s tossed your way, you’ve got to catch it and hold it tight—and hope there’ll be someone else to toss it to when you get tired of being brave.”
Always listen to experts. They’ll tell you what can’t be done, and why. Then do it.
“Do you know all those old folktales where the count tries to get rid of his only daughter’s unsuitable suitor by giving his three impossible tasks?”
“Yes…”
“Don’t ever try that with Miles. Just…don’t.”
Certain types of loudmouthism should be a capital offense among decent people.
We ought to call ourselves Homo clamorans. Noisemaking man.
I have no mouth and I must scream.
In space, no one can hear you scream.
“Strictly speaking, the Patrol is not a military organization at all.” “Sir?” “I know, I know—you are trained to use weapons, you are under orders, you wear a uniform. But your purpose is not to fight, but to prevent fighting, by every possible means. The Patrol is not a fighting organization; it is the repository of weapons too dangerous to entrust to military men.”
Veil wouldn’t make his military invincible, but it would render every other military indefensible. Veil was it. Game over.
That’s it, man. Game over, man. Game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?
It was a surprise, and a delight, to see children devour books. Without ever knowing it, they were receiving an education.
One learns from books and example only that certain things can be done. Actual learning requires that you do those things.
As planned, we dissemble. In old human tales and books, it is a technique oft used by the weak when confronted by the strong.
Act stupid, the lore suggests. Meanwhile, watch and listen closely.
“I expect they’ll make do.” Maro grinned back at her as he folded his arms to squeeze into the access tubes. “It’ll just take some adjustment.”
Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues – which a man must develop himself; if he has them forced down him, he will vomit them out.
You wanted to give the people hope. You wanted the evil that’s out there to have something to fear. Right now, there’s nothing to fear, and evil’s running rampant like a plague through this city!