# Quote — Charles Sheffield, Divergence

> Human history extends for approximately ten thousand years before the Expansion, with written records available for roughly half that time. Unfortunately, the human tendency for self-delusion, self-aggrandizement, and baseless faith in human superiority over all other intelligent life-forms renders much of the written record unreliable. Serious research workers are advised to seek alternative primary data sources concerning humans. —From the Universal Species Catalog (Subclass: Sapients)

- Author: [Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md)
- Book: [Divergence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence.md)
- Page: 282
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_Sheffield#Divergence_(1991)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence/human-history-extends

## More from this book

> The prevailing theory to resolve this paradox comes from limited studies of Lo’tfian physiology. The male brain, it is believed, is highly organized and possesses powerful intelligence. However, it contains an unknown physical inhibitor, chemical in nature, that forbids the employment of that intelligence when in the presence of a Lo’tfian female. Confronted by such a female, the reasoning ability of the male Lo’tfian simply switches off. (A much weaker form of this phenomenon has been attributed to other species. See Human entry of this catalogue.) —From the Universal Species Catalog (Subclass: Sapients)

p. 312 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence/the-prevailing-theory.md)

> Don’t confuse caution with cowardice.

p. 495 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence/dont-confuse-caution.md)

> That’s why we want it. Impossible gadgets are always the most valuable.

p. 433 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/divergence/thats-why-we-want.md)