Quotes from John W. Campbell

No literature is sound, no philosophy of action workable, if it doesn't take a hard look at itself.

History does not always repeat itself. Sometimes it just yells, 'Can't you remember anything I told you?' and lets fly with a club.

Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.

Man studied birds for centuries, trying to learn how to make a machine to fly like them. He never did do the trick; his final success came when he broke away entirely and tried new methods.

We presuppose two things: that there is yet to be learned infinitely more than is now known, and that man can learn it.

Generally, a desirable, practically attainable idea, suggested in prophecy, has a chance of forcing itself into reality by its very existence.