“While I have the floor, here's a question that's been bothering me for some time. Why do so few writers of heroic or epic fantasy ever deal with the fundamental quandary of their novels . . . that so many of them take place in cultures that are rigid, hierarchical, stratified, and in essence oppressive? What is so appealing about feudalism, that so many free citizens of an educated commonwealth like ours love reading about and picturing life under hereditary lords?
Why should the deposed prince or princess in every clichéd tale be chosen to lead the quest against the Dark Lord? Why not elect a new leader by merit, instead of clinging to the inbred scions of a failed royal line? Why not ask the pompous, patronizing, "good" wizard for something useful, such as flush toilets, movable type, or electricity for every home in the kingdom? Given half a chance, the sons and daughters of peasants would rather not grow up to be servants. It seems bizarre for modern folk to pine for a way of life our ancestors rightfully fought desperately to escape.”
― David Brin, quote from Glory Season
“Cultural contamination that is directed outward is always seen as ‘enlightenment.”
― David Brin, quote from Glory Season
“Generalization is a natural human mental process, and many generalizations are true—in average. What often does promote evil behavior is the lazy, nasty habit of believing that generalizations have anything at all to do with individuals.”
― David Brin, quote from Glory Season
“Deep down, most humans prefer living out their lives surrounded by comfortable certainties, guided by warm myths and metaphors, knowing that they’ll understand their children, and their children will understand them.”
― David Brin, quote from Glory Season
“A living planet is a much more complex metaphor for deity than just a bigger father with a bigger fist.”
― David Brin, quote from Glory Season
David Brin
Born place: in Glendale, California, The United States
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“It's utterly beautiful not to know my own edges.”
― Jenny Downham, quote from Now is Good
“a bishop should not be condemned except with seventy-two witnesses… a cardinal priest should not be condemned except with forty-four witnesses, a cardinal deacon of the city of Rome without thirty-six witnesses, a subdeacon, acolyte, exorcist, lector, or doorkeeper except with seven witnesses.”
― Leonard Mlodinow, quote from The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives
“This is the second murder scene I’ve walked in on in less than twenty-four hours,” I said. “Is that a company record?”
“Is not even close,” Yasha told me.
“Good.”
“Though I think is record for newbie.”
“Great. Glad to know I’m making a difference.”
“And I know is first time SPI agent use tractor to catch killer.”
― Lisa Shearin, quote from The Grendel Affair
“Revenge is a tricky beast. Her claws face both ways. I don’t mind a few more scars. They’ll be unnoticed among the rest.”
― Kim Harrison, quote from The Witch With No Name
“I don’t want to get hurt.” Eris felt for some reason that hadn’t been what Mariel originally meant to say. But she just leaned in, resting her head lightly on Mariel’s shoulder. “I’ll never do anything to hurt you. I promise,” she said softly. The cynical, worldly part of Eris laughed at herself for saying that, for making a promise she could never hope to keep. Well, she would just have to keep it this time, she thought firmly. She felt Mariel relax a little next to her. Their boat rocked back and forth, gently buffeted by the waves. “I promise,” Eris said again, and the words drifted up like smoke into the darkness.”
― Katharine McGee, quote from The Thousandth Floor
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Practical MagicBookQuoters is a community of passionate readers who enjoy sharing the most meaningful, memorable and interesting quotes from great books. As the world communicates more and more via texts, memes and sound bytes, short but profound quotes from books have become more relevant and important. For some of us a quote becomes a mantra, a goal or a philosophy by which we live. For all of us, quotes are a great way to remember a book and to carry with us the author’s best ideas.
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