Michael Moorcock quotes - page 5

Michael Moorcock is an English writer, best known for his influential works in fantasy and science fiction, particularly the Elric of Melniboné series. His novels and editing of New Worlds magazine helped shape the New Wave science fiction movement. He continues to inspire generations of writers with his imaginative worlds and innovative storytelling. Here are 257 of his quotes:

Women are always underestimated by men,” said Alisaard, a note of satisfaction in her voice, "and this enables them sometimes to gather far more power to themselves than the men suspect.

Michael Moorcock

It remained difficult for me to understand how some people are simply born mentally deformed, lacking all the natural moral restraints and imagination which dictate the actions of most of us, however partially. Such creatures have learned from childhood to ape the appropriate sentiments when it suits them, to charm or bully their opponents, to agree to anything, to tell any lie and to pursue their own ends with implacable determination. "Such men and women are the true aliens amongst you and it is ironic how frequently we come to rule you. We use your very best instincts and deepest emotions against you. We convince you that we alone can satisfy your need for security and comfort and then we drain you dry of everything save perpetual terror. Ha, ha, ha!”.

Michael Moorcock

If you were to believe all the old, degenerate German legends, there's a Grail in every castle, a Charlemagne or an Arthur under every mound! There not a noble house without at least one werewolf offspring or a younger son who's made a pact with the Devil, an uncle practising the profane arts of alchemy, a vampirical grandfather, a mad monk, a ruined abbey in the grounds where witches meet, an incarcerated lunatic (or heiress-or both), an infanticide or two (and a patricide), and, of course, a family ghost.

Michael Moorcock

I had learned, after all, to trust neither religion nor politics and to put my faith in the realities of metal, wood and steam, in practical engineering, whose rules could neither be changed nor made the subject of morality, so why should I show reverence for mere antiquity?

Michael Moorcock

He had thought his wars over. Now he realized peace had been merely a lull.

Michael Moorcock

Like so many fanatics, he possessed an appalling streak of timidity and terror which feared all that was not absolutely familiar. As his power increased, he would doubtless attempt to destroy anything that made him anxious.

Michael Moorcock

Do you know what damnation can be, Sir? It can be a state of permanent caution, making one chronically unable to risk anything, even a risk which might save one from extinction.

Michael Moorcock

A whole tangle of series, possibly including everything Moorcock's written, not excluding his grocery lists, but I'm not sure; certainly includes most of his fantasy. Various subseries are declared complete every so often, as for example in an ad for the Last Elric Book in the current issue of F& SF; such declarations sometimes prove true, but on the other hand, I've seen several previous Last Elric Books.

Michael Moorcock

"You only need fear the bees if you've broken the law.” That familiar phrase was used to justify every encroachment on citizens' liberty.

Michael Moorcock

The conqueror always assumes that his moral superiority-rather than his ferocious greed-is what has allowed him to triumph.

Michael Moorcock

As I suggested to John Major (a British Prime Minister) when he told us that socialism was dead, he should not be too triumphant. After all, until his predecessor Mrs Thatcher revived it, we thought feudalism pretty much over and done with, too.

Michael Moorcock

Paternalism and centralism, the bane of capitalist as well as socialist politics, are for me the permanent enemy of democracy.

Michael Moorcock

It is the spirit of Salem-the corrupting influence of Puritanism which in itself is perversion of the Stoic ideal-infecting what remains of a nation which could have set an example to the world.

Michael Moorcock

They're Mabden, of course. They are afraid of the city. Afraid of almost everything. And being permitted no weapons with which they can attack what they fear, they are reduced to what you see. It seems the Mabden can only kill or run away. Their brains are of no use to them.

Michael Moorcock

This vast pile of natural beauty, those crags and fir trees and hovering hawks, those echoing ravines and vast tumblings of snow and earth, brought me swiftly to the understanding of my own insignificance and, indeed, the insignificance of all human struggle.

Michael Moorcock

Are you trying to talk peace terms?” "I've given that up,” said Makhno. "It doesn't appear to work. You mention peace and everyone tries to shoot you or jail you.

Michael Moorcock

I at least had some knowledge of the warping, mutating power of the Lords of Disorder, the supernatural entities who on John Daker's Earth would be called Arch-Demons, the Dukes of Hell. I knew that they made use of our most treasured virtues and most honoured emotions. That they were capable of almost any illusion. And that all that was keeping them from pouring forth from their stronghold to engulf so many other Realms of the multiverse was their caution, their unreadiness or unwillingness to war against the rival power of Law. But if we humans invited them to our realms, they would come.

Michael Moorcock

Thus woman trusts in man down all the years and so, as always, is betrayed.

Michael Moorcock

You're as worthless as one of that decrepit mob. Lucifer has rejected you. Now mankind rejects you. Have the good taste, Sir, to accept a fact!

Michael Moorcock

Indeed, to be a hero, forever at war, is to be in some ways always a child. The true challenge comes in making sense of one's life, of imbuing it with purpose based on one's own principles.

Michael Moorcock

We are all guilty,” he said. "We are all innocent. Only when we accept responsibility for our own actions do we become free. And only when every one of us accepts their share of responsibility will the world become safe for us all.

Michael Moorcock

I realized I was fulfilling mankind's greatest dream-to fly like a bird, as naturally and as joyously as if the air were our familiar habitat.

Michael Moorcock