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Many a prophecy, by the mere force of its being believed, is transmuted to fact. These are ‘self-fulfilling prophecies.’
A mathematician, however, who could back his prophecy with mathematical formulas and terminology, might be understood by no one and yet believed by everyone.”
All history shows that we do not learn from the lessons of the past.
“Where have the credits gone?” “Into other things. We’ve had centuries of unrest. The navy is much larger and many times more expensive than it once was. The armed forces are much better-paid, in order to keep them quiet. Unrest, revolts, and minor blazes of civil war all take their toll.” “But it’s been quiet under Cleon. And we’ve had fifty years of peace.” “Yes, but soldiers who are well-paid would resent having that pay reduced just because there is peace. Admirals resist mothballing ships and having themselves reduced in rank simply because there is less for them to do. So the credits
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“How harmful overspecialization is. It cuts knowledge at a million points and leaves it bleeding.”
They work off all their resentments, enjoy all the smug self-satisfaction a young revolutionary would have, and by the time they take their place in the Imperial hierarchy, they are ready to settle down into conformity and obedience.”
I’ve seen many people with status, but I’m still looking for a happy one. Status won’t sit still under you; you have to continually fight to keep from sinking.
It has no practical application at all, except—” “Now we’re getting to it. Exceptions are what are interesting.”
(If something quite accidental can easily become viewed as a tradition and be made unbreakable or nearly so, thought Seldon, would that be a law of psychohistory?
Dors said, “We’re psycho.” The pilot said, “And I’m history.” They followed him into the air-jet and Seldon said, “Whose idea were the passwords?” “Hummin’s,” said Dors. Seldon snorted. “Somehow I didn’t think Hummin would have a sense of humor. He’s so solemn.” Dors smiled.
It’s just that I’m used to having these things tell me so. When they expect you to find out for yourself, the simplest things can escape you for a while.”
He looked at Demerzel slyly. “My son need not be my heir. He is not a talented boy. What if I make you my heir?” Demerzel said freezingly, “Sire, that is unthinkable. I would not usurp the throne. I would not steal it from your rightful heir. Besides, if I have displeased you, punish me justly. Surely, nothing I have done or could possibly do deserves the punishment of being made Emperor.” Cleon laughed. “For that true assessment of the value of the Imperial throne, Demerzel, I abandon any thought of punishing you.
Tell me what else they don’t like about Dahlites.” “They make up things not to like. They say we smell. They say we’re dirty. They say we steal. They say we’re violent. They say we’re dumb.” “Why do they say all this?” “Because it’s easy to say it and it makes them feel good.
I am a historian, however. I know that it isn’t unusual to have one group of people look down upon another group. There are peculiar and almost ritualistic hatreds that have no rational justification and that can have their serious historical influence. It’s too bad.”
At the slightest stress, human beings seemed to divide themselves into antagonistic groups.
“I can’t bear to hear a human being spoken of with contempt just because of his group identification—even by other human beings. It’s these respectable people here who create those hooligans out there.”
“The Imperial forces must keep their hands off, but they find that they can do much even so. Each sector is encouraged to be suspicious of its neighbors. Within each sector, economic and social classes are encouraged to wage a kind of war with each other. The result is that all over Trantor it is impossible for the people to take united action. Everywhere, the people would rather fight each other than make a common stand against the central tyranny and the Empire rules without having to exert force.”
“You can always put something noble in a sneering fashion if you try.
It seems to me that no sane man wants to uphold an Imperial system that maintains itself by fostering mutual hatred and suspicions.
If all human beings understood history, they might cease making the same stupid mistakes over and over.”
