Childhood's End

"All political problems," Karellen had once told Stormgren, "can be solved by the correct application of power"

A well-stocked mind is safe from boredom.

It had been the Golden Age. But gold was also the color of sunset, of autumn.

...no one of intelligence resents the inevitable.

Crime had practically vanished. It had become unnecessary and impossible. When no one lacks anything there is no point in stealing.

Few artists thrive in solitude, and nothing is more stimulating than the conflict of minds with similar interests.

Western man had relearned-what the rest of the world had never forgotten-that there was nothing sinful in leisure as long as it did not degenerate into mere sloth.

Evil men could be destroyed, but nothing could be done with good men who were deluded.

Fifty years is ample time to change the world and it's people almost beyond recognition. All that I'd required for the task are a sound knowledge of social engineering, a clear sight of the intended goal- and power

“I've invented a new definition for TV,” he muttered gloomily. “I've decided it’s a device for hindering communication between artist and audience.”

Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets.

The evidence is confused with mysticism—perhaps the prime aberration of the human mind.

What finally decided him was the thought that, if he neglected this incredible opportunity, he would never forgive himself. All the rest of his life would be spent in vain regrets—and nothing could be worse than that.

The instrument he handed over on permanent loan to the World History Foundation was nothing more than a television receiver with an elaborate set of controls for determining co-ordinates in time and space. [...] One had merely to adjust the controls, and a window into the past was opened up. Almost the whole of human history for the past five thousand years became accessible in an instant. [...]

Within a few days, all mankind's multitudinous messiahs had lost their divinity. Beneath the fierce passionless light of truth, faiths that had sustained millions for twice a thousand years vanished like morning dew. All the good and all the evil they had wrought were swept suddenly into the past, and could touch the minds of men no more. Humanity had lost its ancient gods: now it was old enough to have no need for new ones.