Jack Vance quotes - page 9
You will understand,” said the Weaponeer, "that a pattern for events exists. It is the function of such as myself to shape events so that they will fit the pattern.” He bent, with a graceful sweep of arm, and seized a small jagged pebble. "Just as I can grind this bit of rock to fit a round aperture.”
Kergan Banbeck reached forward, took the pebble, tossed it high over the tumbled boulders. "That bit of rock you shall never shape to fit a round hole.”
The Weaponeer shook his head in mild deprecation. "There is always more rock.
Jack Vance
The person who, let us say, expects generosity from a bank, efficient flexibility from a government agency, open-mindedness from a religious institution will be disappointed. In each purview the notions represent immorality. The poor fool might as quickly discover love among the mantises.
Jack Vance
Poor Pymfyd! Your world is built of fear and dread! As for me, I have no time for such emotions.”
Pymfyd spoke in an even voice. "You are a royal princess and I may not call you a witless little fool, even should the thought cross my mind.”
Madouc turned him a sad blue-eyed glance. "So that, after all, is your concept of me.
Jack Vance
The folk are peculiar in many ways," said Erwig. "They preen themselves upon the gentility of their habits, yet they refuse to whitewash their hair, and they are slack in their religious observances. For instance, they make obeisance to Divine Wiulio with the right hand, not on the buttock, but on the abdomen, which we here consider a slipshod practice. What are your own views?"
"The rite should be conducted as you describe," said Cugel. "No other method carries weight.
Jack Vance
I watch the sea and the sky; sometimes I wade in the surf and build roads in the sand. At night I study the stars.”
"You have no friends?”
"No.”
"And what of the future?”
"The future stops at ‘now'.”
"As to that, I am not so sure,” said Shimrod. "It is at best a half-truth.”
"What of that? Half a truth is better than none: do you not agree?”
"Not altogether,” said Shimrod. "I am a practical man, I try to control the shape of the ‘nows' which lie in the offing, instead of submitting to them as they occur.”
Melancthe gave an uninterested shrug. "You are free to do as you like.” Leaning back in the divan, she looked out across the sea.
Shimrod finally spoke. "Well then: are you ‘good' or ‘bad'?”
"I don't know.”
Shimrod became vexed. "Talking with you is like visiting an empty house.
Jack Vance
