Forward the Foundation (Foundation, #7)

by Isaac Asimov

The complete study of psychohistory would require experiments that would involve worlds of people, centuries of time—and a total lack of ethical responsibility.

any change, has myriad side effects that can’t always be allowed for. If the change is too great and the side effects too many, then it becomes certain that the outcome will be far removed from anything you’ve planned and that it would be entirely unpredictable.”

People tended to avoid the humiliation of failure by joining the obviously winning side even against their own opinions.

Each one wants a great deal of equality for itself—but not much equality for others.

The pleasantness of their company outweighed the regret of their passing.

Being feared is nothing. Being despised, even, can be lived with. But being laughed at—that’s fatal.

He says he wants equality for all people. What’s wrong with that?” “Nothing at all—if he means it. If he’s sincere. If he isn’t just using it as a ploy to get votes.”

“You mean that merely to be underhanded is to be sly and that may be admirable, while to be caught is to be stupid and that is never admirable.”

Only 10 percent, but they were a vehement minority that drowned out the indifferent majority and threatened to take over.”

They want to be treated as equals, they say, and so they do, but, given a chance, they have no desire to treat others as equals.”

with pay refusing to keep pace with the cost of living. One must pay civil officials to keep them honest. Failing that, they would surely make up for their inadequate salaries in other ways.

And finally, people are against it.” “But why?” “Because they’re against science in general.

“You know the old proverb: The shoemaker’s child has no shoes.

“I’m afraid that Joramis has gone the way of old men generally. He’s dead.”