Out of the Silent Planet (Space Trilogy, #1)

by C.S. Lewis

It would be easier if your philosophy of life were not so insufferably narrow and individualistic.

Moreover, he knew nothing yet well enough to see it: you cannot see things till you know roughly what they are.

Nothing could be more disgusting than the one impression; nothing more delightful than the other. It all depended on the point of view.

And how could we endure to live and let time pass if we were always crying for one day or one year to come back—if we did not know that every day in a life fills the whole life with expectation and memory and that these are that day?”

I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes.

They were astonished at what he had to tell them of human history—of war, slavery and prostitution. “It is because they have no Oyarsa,” said one of the pupils. “It is because every one of them wants to be a little Oyarsa himself,” said Augray.

Creatures of your kind must drop out of heaven into a world; for us the worlds are places in heaven. But do not try to understand this now. It is enough to know that I and my servants are even now in heaven; they were around you in the sky-ship no less than they are around you here.”

To every man, in his acquaintance with a new art, there comes a moment when that which before was meaningless first lifts, as it were, one corner of the curtain that hides its mystery, and reveals, in a burst of delight which later and fuller understanding can hardly ever equal, one glimpse of the indefinite possibilities within.

The weakest of my people does not fear death. It is the Bent One, the lord of your world, who wastes your lives and befouls them with flying from what you know will overtake you in the end. If you were subjects of Maleldil you would have peace.”