Store of the Worlds Quotes

“A great majority of Terrans were idealists, and they believed fervently in concepts such as truth, justice, mercy, and the like. And not only did they believe, they also let those noble concepts guide their actions—except when it would be inconvenient or unprofitable. When that happened, they acted expediently, but continued to talk moralistically. This meant that they were “hypocrites” —a term which every race has its counterpart of.”
― Robert Sheckley, Store of the Worlds: The Stories of Robert Sheckley

“Love and war,” he said, “are Earth’s two staple commodities. We’ve been turning them both out in bumper crops since the beginning of time.”
― Robert Sheckley, Store of the Worlds: The Stories of Robert Sheckley

“They got it into their heads that he was a health inspector, come to close down their malarial wells, slaughter their trichinoidal hogs, and vaccinate their scabrous children.”
― Robert Sheckley, Store of the Worlds: The Stories of Robert Sheckley

“ ‘Shall we go down and have a closer look?’ Hum asked.
“ ‘All right. I think we have time — wait! What day is this?’
“Hum calculated silently, then said, ‘The fifth day of Luggat.’
“ ‘Damn,’ Cordovir said. ‘I have to go home and kill my wife.’
“ ‘It’s a few hours before sunset,’ Hum said. ‘I think you have time to do both.’
“Cordovir wasn’t sure. ‘I’d hate to be late.’
“ ‘Well then. You know how fast I am,’ Hum said. ‘If it gets late, I’ll hurry back and kill her myself. How about that?’
“ ‘That’s very decent of you.’ Cordovir thanked the younger man and together they slithered down the steep mountainside.”
― Robert Sheckley, Store of the Worlds: The Stories of Robert Sheckley