Abaddon's Gate (Expanse, #3)

by James S.A. Corey

What had been logical became dumb, and all it took was changing the context.

Science had given mankind many gifts, and she valued it. But the one important thing it had taken away was the value of subjective, personal experience. That had been replaced with the idea that only measurable and testable concepts had value.

Robert is the least sexual creature I’ve ever met. At least until they invent a way to fuck money.”

Have another story to tell and no one to tell it to.

“History is made up of people recovering from the last disaster,”

Show a human a closed door, and no matter how many open doors she finds, she’ll be haunted by what might be behind it.

Heroism is a label most people get for doing shit they’d never do if they were really thinking about it.”

Nothing ever killed more people than being afraid to look like a sissy.”

Violence is what people do when they run out of good ideas. It’s attractive because it’s simple, it’s direct, it’s almost always available as an option. When you can’t think of a good rebuttal for your opponent’s argument, you can always punch them in the face.

“This isn’t about good guys and bad guys,” Anna said. “Yes, we’ve picked sides now, because some of the actions they are about to take will have serious consequences for us, and we’re going to try to stop them. But what you’re doing is demonizing them, making them the enemy. The problem with that is that once we’ve stopped them and they can’t hurt us anymore, they’re still demons. Still the enemy.”

All of the circumstances that made him your enemy will be gone. What’s the value in clinging to the hate?”

Amos doesn’t process grief well.

“We need to shut everything down,” Holden said. “The reactor. The power grid. Everything.” “I know, honey,” Naomi said, and Holden looked chagrined. “Sorry.”