Quotes from Larry Niven

as old as seas and mountains. . . .

Halrloprillalar's tale of the bacterium that eats superconductor is in our records, the Hindmost said.

The air smelled of ozone and puppeteers.

What have they said to us? I could translate, but it would be meaningless. They have welcomed us in the name of their Emperor, who appears to be an over-Master. The short, round one is Mediator to this Emperor. Ah. We have at last found one who can communicate. Speak to her. But he has said nothing! Say nothing in return.

Those who will give up essential liberty to secure a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

You will find superconducting wire and fabric stored aboard the lander. It is not the same superconductor the Ringworld used. The bacterium will not touch it. I thought we might need trade goods.

Did I just hear something tear?" General Gillespie asked. "It sounded like the Constitution." Jenny caught the look on Max's face. Interesting. He looked disgusted. A liberal general? We're fighting snouts here!

Her eyes glowed. She spoke as if confiding a secret. Have you noticed the moonlight?

I'll have to get over this sooner or later, Louis thought. Why not now? A friend had taught him this cantrip, this bit of magic for recovering from shock or grief. Sometimes it worked.

Rick laughed. Yeah. Everybody's gonna start painting their borders in neon orange a mile wide. Then all the college kids will scream about damage to the environment

Dearest, if you can wake in the morning with no pain in your joints and muscles, it's a sure sign that you have died in the night.

Hindmost? A head turned back. Sometimes there's no point in giving up.

Yes. No risk is insane now, given the position your insanity has put us in. Louis burst out laughing (a puppeteer teaching courage to Louis Wu?) and sobered as suddenly.

Current addiction is the youngest of mankind's sins. At some time in their histories, most of the cultures of human space have seen the habit as a major scourge. It takes users from the labor market and leaves them to die of self-neglect.

A sword could be used on oneself. Just turn it around. Jump from the top of a rock?

Allen, it puzzles me that a man can shoot thirty-two full-grown men and women before the sheriff's men gun him down. You're more his time, maybe you can tell me. Why didn't someone just shoot the son of a bitch?

Five of 'em were teachers," Billy said. "They had to protect their kids. How could they not be armed? It's as if someone has been taking away their guns.

But man, it's a start! said Whitbread. There's got to be a way— I am not a man, and there doesn't got to be a way. And that's another reason I don't want contact between your species and mine. You're all Crazy Eddies. You think every problem has a solution.

Deputy Hargman snorted. "Sure there is. One good enough to get this town and everybody in it killed by a meteor.

You know the truth, now. You know that reason alone is not enough. You must ask for grace . .

Van der Stel, the thin Afrikaner who spoke of "Kaffirs" and expected blacks to call him "Baas" —but who also had genuine respect for the Zulu scouts, and always listened to their advice.

I have theories. Notice the patterns of deference as they approach their seats. Viceroy Merrill assists Sally to climb the stairs. Titles are omitted by some and always used by others, and given redundantly in full over the loudspeakers. The 'gentlemen of the press' would seem to have no status at all, yet they stop whom they please, and although the others will prevent them from going where they will, they are not punished for trying.

Have at you, Builders! You can't keep a science-fiction writer in Hell!

Louis told himself he only wanted to know if he could get pills. His addiction wasn't broken unless he had a choice to lapse.