The Birthday of the World and Other Stories (Hainish Cycle, #9)

by Ursula K. Le Guin

I did not kill myself, as several boys did during those years, nor did I kill my mind and soul, as some did so their body could survive.

we collude with them and they with us in maintaining the great foundation of ignorance and lies on which our civilisation rests.”

ever we made ourselves independent, perhaps we could rebuild society on a foundation of truth.”

We would not play the patience game any more. We would win, now, once for all. And we did. We won. We had our victory. Lord Fassaw, the Lordsmen and their bullies had been slaughtered by the time the police got to the Gate.

inherent violence and irresponsibility of the male, his biological unfitness to participate in social and political decision-making.

“The untold story mothers the lie,”

His authority was in fact immense; but he never stood on it. He sat down on it, comfortably, and invited you to sit down with him.