Poul Anderson quotes

Poul Anderson was an American science fiction and fantasy author, recognized for his imaginative world-building and prolific writing. Many of his works explored themes of space exploration, time travel, and cultural interaction. He influenced generations of writers and readers with his inventive storytelling. Here are 152 of his quotes:

I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated.

Poul Anderson

I wrote the first book, Harvest of Stars, and as I was writing it, I saw that certain implications had barely been touched on... It's perfectly obvious that two completely revolutionary things are going on, with cybernetics, and biological science.

Poul Anderson

In Harvest of Stars, there is this notion, not original with me of course, that it will become possible to download at least the basic aspects of a human personality into a machine program...

Poul Anderson

So much American science fiction is parochial -- not as true now as it was years ago, but the assumption is one culture in the future, more or less like ours, and with the same ideals, the same notions of how to do things, just bigger and flashier technology. Well, you know darn well it doesn't work that way...

Poul Anderson

A man isn't really alive till he has something bigger than himself and his own little happiness, for which he'd gladly die.

Poul Anderson

You know what they say about bold spacemen never becoming old spacemen.

Poul Anderson

Anybody can find infinite Mandelbrot figures in his navel.

Poul Anderson

Timidity can be as dangerous as rashness.

Poul Anderson

Light fills the air, wind is aglow, drink of it, breathe of it, make leafing. Rainfall sows itself, it grows down through soil to the secret places where stones abide; it brings the strength of them up rootward. Lie still, molder away, then be again grass.

Poul Anderson

A fanatic is a man who, when he's lost sight of his purpose, redoubles his effort.

Poul Anderson

Are you that afraid to die?” "No. I simply like to live.

Poul Anderson

What five books would I like to be remembered for? Well... Tau Zero, I like that one especially. It was somewhat of a tour de force, and I think it got across what I was trying for.

Poul Anderson

But your sign says you can conjure up ever-filled purses,” Holger began. "Advertising,” Martinus admitted. "Corroborative detail intended to lend artistic verisimilitude.

Poul Anderson

Above everything else, perhaps, was today's concept of working together. I don't mean its totalitarian version, for which Jack Havig had total loathing, or that "togetherness,” be it in a corporation or a commune, which he despised. I mean an enlightened pragmatism that rejects self-appointed aristocrats, does not believe received doctrine is necessarily true, stands ready to hear and weigh what anyone has to offer, and maintains well-developed channels to carry all ideas to the leadership and back again.

Poul Anderson

I think most human misery is due to well-meaning fanatics like him.

Poul Anderson

Too far a retreat from reality is insanity.

Poul Anderson

Holger wished he had read the old tales more closely; he had only a dim childhood recollection of them.

Poul Anderson

Don't get me wrong. These people are mine. I like and in many ways admire them. They're the salt of the earth. It's simply that I want other condiments too.

Poul Anderson

Everard sighed, switched off his conscience, and began lying.

Poul Anderson

As evil waxes, the very men who stand for good will in their fear use ever worse means o' fighting, and thereby give evil a free beachhead.

Poul Anderson

I think you look on death as your friend,” she murmured. "That is a strange friend for a young man to have.” "The only faithful friend in this world,” he said. "Death is always sure to be at your side.

Poul Anderson

Here was more than a question of law; it was a matter of whose will should prevail.

Poul Anderson