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Orson Scott Card

401 quotes

“The Lord took twice the time making thee, Alvin Smith, cause it took that long to put the mischief in.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“War was never so careful as to inflict suffering only where it was merited.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don’t you think it’s ironic that you have no idea what you’re supposed to do,” said Verily, “and yet so many people have gone to so much trouble to prevent you from doing it?”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Evil people naturally assume that you will use that power exactly as they would use it.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Calvin, what kind of trouble are you planning to make?” “No trouble at all,” said Calvin, annoyed. “Why do you think I want to cause trouble?” “Because you are awake.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is Alvin Smith,” said Cooper. “He’s a man of inestimable abilities, but only because nobody has cared enough to estimate them.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You,” said Purity, “have been long enough out of England to pick up some American brag.” “But surrounded by Americans as I am,” said Cooper, “my brag is like a farthing in a sack of guineas.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don’t press her,” said Cooper. “If someone decides to leave something unsaid, my experience is that everyone is happier if they don’t insist on his saying it.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The desire to force others to bend or break to her will was always there, usually hidden deeply enough that she could forget she had that wish within her, but occasionally surfacing to dangle the ripe fruit of power just out of her reach. She knew, as few others did, that the power to coerce depended entirely on the fear or weakness of other human beings. It was possible to use coercion, yes, but in the end you found yourself surrounded only by the weak and fearful, with all those of courage and strength arrayed against you.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I always play with everybody,” said Honoré. “It is my vocation. God put me on the earth to do with people what cats do to mice. Play with them, chew the last bit of life out of them, them pick them up in my mouth and drop them on people’s doorsteps. That is the business of literature.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When I am drunk I am at my best. It is the national knack of the French.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don’t have to be a gentleman,” said Balzac. “I am an artist.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Once you have the gallows, you'll find new reasons to hang people from it.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To expect wickedness from human beings is the best way I know of to avoid surprises. And when I am surprised, it's always pleasantly.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The first of a thousand lies. Truth flowed to Micah Quill, was sucked in and disappeared, and emerged again looking ever so much like it used to, but changed subtly, at the edges, where none would notice, so that simple truth became a complicated fabric indeed, one that could wrap you up so tightly and close you off from the air until you suffocated in it.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is today’s puzzle,” he said. “If the act of denial can be taken as proof of the crime, how can an innocent man defend himself?” The tithingmen caught him by the arms. “Come along now, Mr. Emerson, and don’t go trying any philosophy on us.” “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” said Waldo. “Philosophy would be wasted against such sturdy-headed men as you.” “Glad you know it,” said the tithingman proudly. “Wouldn’t want you thinking we weren’t true Christians.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Denmark nursed that anger and it kept him free.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It wasn't so bad being a slave when your owner was yourself and stood up for you.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Around here, ma'am, if folks got they mouth open, if they ain't eating then they lying.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I knew God had heard my prayer when I learned that it was you and no other who drew this case.” “One judge is coughing his life out into bloody handkerchiefs and the other is burying his wife, and you think this is how God answers your prayers?”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Are you all right, sir?” asked Hezekiah. “Just fighting over old battles in my mind,” said John. “It’s the problem with age. You have all these rusty arguments, and no quarrel to use them in. My brain is a museum, but alas, I’m the only visitor, and even I am not terribly interested in the displays.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have no fear of war,” said Arthur Stuart. “That’s when kings get to show their mettle.” “You’re thinking of chess,” said Margaret. “In war, everyone has their chance to bleed.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Once he had been so formidable that he was surrounded by enemies. Now even his enemies has lost interest in him. What clearer sign of failure could you find than that?”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm neutral on lying, seeing as how there's times when the truth just hurts people.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Folks always seemed to think that as long as they didn't know about something bad, it wasn't happening, so whoever told them actually caused it to be true.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The woman is the subtlest beast in the garden,” said Papa Moose, “now that snakes can’t talk.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Hey, you’re getting to be almost worth how much it costs to feed you.” “Good thing, ’cause I got no plan to eat less.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Every terrible thing in the world was caused by a whole combination of things. But everybody wanted to narrow it down to one cause—and not even the real one. Much better to have one cause—one person to punish. Then the unbearable could be borne.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Knowing something may be a terrible burden to bear, but it holds no danger to them as aren't afraid of truth.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don’t talk to me like you understand my sins.” “Don’t talk to me like you know what I do and do not understand.” Alvin chuckled grimly. “Oh, that mouth you’ve got.” “You can’t answer what I said, so you’re going to talk about my saying it.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A man like that thinks that fear can win loyalty.” “Plenty of masters with a lash who can testify it works.” “Don’t win loyalty, just obedience, and only while the lash is in the room.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The dreamers always seem to think their dream is worth the price that other people will pay. They also delude themselves that they will control whatever evil they use to try to bring about their dream.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is serious, and you gotta keep your mind open in case an idea comes along—you want there to be some room for it to fit in.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sometimes it felt to him as though he's spent most of his life traveling, and never quite got to anywhere that mattered. Then again, that might be as good a description of what life was supposed to be as anyone ever thought of. The only real destination was death, and our lives consisted of finding the most circuitous and pleasant path to get there.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How short life is for fools.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is the essence of dignity to pretend to desire what you cannot prevent.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He’s young,” she said. “We’ve all been guilty of that sin,” said Alvin. “And some never get over it.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“La Tia was fearless, but that could mean either that she had no guile or that she had no conscience.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That is the ultimate power, to stare death in the face and be unafraid.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’m a terrible salesman,” he finally said. “I always tell the truth about what I’m selling, and then nobody buys it.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I see Alvin with a son. That what he want most.” “I see him with a woman,” said Rien. “That is what he miss the most.” “I see him kneeling by a child’s grave,” said Dead Mary. “That is what he fears the most.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Everybody thinks they want to see the truth,” said Tenkswa-Tawa. “That’s one of the lies we tell ourselves.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Arthur had heard Peggy say that she didn't wish for more comfortable furniture, because if the chairs were softer, company would be inclined to stay longer.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don’t plan to die for any cause,” said Jim Bowie. “Nor any man, excepting only myself. I know that ain’t noble, but it prolongs my days, which is philosophy enough for me.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was born with more power inside myself than I ever dreamed. But along with it there came no more sense than any other idiotic kid. Somewhere along in here I need to grow up into a man I can stand to live with. A man who doesn't just survive, but deserves to.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The environment that nutures creative programmers kills management and marketing types - and vice versa.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Programming is the Great Game. It consumes you, body and soul. When you're caught up in it, nothing else matters. When you emerge into daylight, you might well discover that you're a hundred pounds overweight, your underwear is older than the average first grader, and judging from the number of pizza boxes lying around, it must be spring already. But you don't care, because your program runs, and the code is fast and clever and tight. You won.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Here's the secret that every successful software company is based on: You can domesticate programmers the way beekeepers tame bees. You can't exactly communicate with them, but you can get them to swarm in one place and when they're not looking, you can carry off the honey.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In his sleep the voice of the land came to him like whispered lullabies. I did not choose you, said the land. I cannot speak except to those who hear me, and because it is in your nature to hear and listen, I spoke to you and lead you here to save me, save me, save me. Do you know the desert they will make of me? Encased in burning dust or layers of ice, either way I'll be dead. My whole purpose is to thrust life upward out of my soils, and feel the presence of living feet, and hear the songs of birds and the low music of the animals, growling, lowing, chittering, whatever voice they choose. That's what I ask of you, the dance of life, just once to make the man whose mother will teach him to be Quetzalcoatl and save me, save me, save me.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: America (1987), reprinted in Gardner Dozois (ed.), The Year's Best Science Fiction: Fifth Annual Collection, , p. 598
“The White man never guessed at what the Red man saw and heard and felt. The White man brought death and emptiness to this place. The White man cut down wise old trees with much to tell; young saplings with many lifetimes of life ahead; and the White man never asked, Will you be glad to make a lodgehouse for me and my tribe? Hack and cut and chop and burn, that was the White man's way. Take from the forest, take from the land, take from the river, but put nothing back. The White man killed animals he didn't need, animals that did him no harm; yet if a bear woke hungry in the winter and took so much as a single young pig, the White man hunted him down and killed him in revenge. He never felt the balance of the land at all.”
Orson Scott Card (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source