Foundation and Empire (Foundation, #2)

by Isaac Asimov

Barr, who had maintained an indifferent silence till then, wrinkled a noncommittal brow. “I have no cause to love Imperial rule.” “Which is a long way from saying that you would be a traitor.” “True. But the mere act of not being a traitor is also a long way from agreeing to be an active helper.”

“The laws of history are as absolute as the laws of physics, and if the probabilities of error are greater, it is only because history does not deal with as many humans as physics does atoms, so that individual variations count for more.

that the only people that inherited anything by right of birth were the congenital idiots.

Inevitably, he said, “What is the meaning of this?” It is the precise question and the precise wording thereof that has been put to the atmosphere on such occasions by an incredible variety of men since humanity was invented. It is not recorded that it has ever been asked for any purpose other than dignified effect.

“Pugh,” muttered Inchney, “the mistiness of distance hides the truth. The Foundation is but a world. Its citizens are but men. If you blast them, they die.”