248 Quotes

“It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way.”
― Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West

“Why should I want to make anything up? Life's bad enough as it is without wanting to invent any more of it.”
― Douglas Adams

“Upstairs Margaret said abruptly, 'I suppose it starts to happen first in the suburbs,' and when Brad said, 'What starts to happen?' she said hysterically, 'People starting to come apart.”
― Shirley Jackson, The Lottery and Other Stories

“You must understand, no matter what anyone tells you, that you are free. In this moment you may do whatever you choose. No one can stop you. They can choose how to react to your choice, but they cannot stop the choice itself. This is freedom, understand? A knife in your hand. And you may do with it as you please.”
― Seth Dickinson, The Monster Baru Cormorant

“*You must understand, no matter what anyone tells you, that you are free. In this moment you may do whatever you choose. No one can stop you. They can choose how to react to your choice, but the cannot stop the choice itself. This is freedom, understand? A knife in your hand. And you may do with it as you please.

When people teach you what you might and might not do -- they are bridling you. They are taking your freedom away. Yes, the world has laws, which are consequences for your actions. But remember that there is nothing you cannot choose to do. Only consequences you fear to face.

If anyone ever tells you that they have no choice but to compromise, remember this. They are afraid.*”
― Seth Dickinson, The Monster Baru Cormorant