Rob

“Eliot tried to popularize Thomas Jefferson and Socrates, too, but people couldn’t remember from one visit to the next who they were. "Which one is which?" they’d say.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

“I know people, I know towns, farms, hills and rivers and rocks, I know how the sun at sunset in autumn falls on the side of a certain plowland in the hills; but what is the sense of giving a boundary to all that, of giving it a name and ceasing to love where the name ceases to apply? What is love of one’s country; is it hate of one’s uncountry? Then it’s not a good thing.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness

“I'm getting a medal for falling into a pressure hatch, sacrificing an arm and a leg to keep seven sailors from being trapped in a compromised part of the ship. I was unconscious at the time, but that doesn't seem to matter. Heroism is a label most people get for doing shit they'd never do if they were really thinking about it.”
― James S.A. Corey, Abaddon’s Gate

“waiting for the breathers to leave. I felt betrayed. Someone clapped me on the back paternally. “It had to be done, Jones.” I didn’t know him. “Get fucked,” I replied.”
― Stephen Kozeniewski, Braineater Jones