The Postman

Quotes

1. We are having extreme difficulty with local gangs of “Survivalists.” Fortunately, these infestations of egotists are mostly too paranoid to band together. They’re as much trouble to each other as to us, I suppose. Still, they are becoming a real problem.

   p. 43

2. 

   “Where is it written that one should only care about big things? I fought for big things, long ago...for issues, principles, a country. Where are all of them now?”

   The steely gray eyes were narrow and sad when next he looked up at Gordon. “I found out something, you know. I discovered that the big things don’t love you back. They take and take, and never give in return. They’ll drain your blood, your soul, if you let them, and never let go.

   “I lost my wife, my son, while away battling for big things. They needed me, but I had to go off trying to save the world.” Powhatan snorted at the last phrase. “Today I fight for my people, for my farm—for smaller things—things I can hold.”

   p. 229

3. 

   It’s clear that male human beings should never have been left in control of the world all these centuries. Many of you are wonderful beyond belief, but too many others will always be bloody lunatics.

   Your sex is simply built that way. Its better side gave us power and light, science and reason, medicine and philosophy. Meanwhile the dark half spent its time dreaming up unimaginable hells and putting them into practice.

   p. 225

4. 

   All legends must be based on lies, Gordon realized. We exaggerate, and even come to believe the tales, after a while.

   p. 298

5. 

   He managed to lie by implication while speaking words that were the literal truth, a skill he had grown good at, if not proud of.

   p. 200

6. 

   Of course we can establish constitutional checks and balances, but those won’t mean a thing unless citizens make sure the safeguards are taken seriously. The greedy and the power-hungry will always look for ways to break the rules, or twist them to their advantage.

   p. 266

7. 

   He tried again, but their sullen, rural obstinacy was impervious to logic.

   p. 126

8. 

   How can we set up a system which encourages individuals to strive and excel, and yet which shows some compassion to the weak, and weeds out madmen and tyrants?

   p. 266

9. 

   Apparently, the Fates were not so unsubtle as to deal him another blow just yet. He knew they didn’t operate that way. They always let you hope for a while longer, then strung it out before they really let you have it.

   p. 68

10. 

    “They accepted warriors...” he emphasized, “...That divinely mad type that’s so valuable when needed, and such a problem when it’s not.”

    p. 298

11. 

    It’s said that “power corrupts,” but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable.

    p. 267

12. 

    “How did he get away with pushing a book like this? How is it anyone ever believed him?”

    Gordon shrugged. “It was called ‘the Big Lie’ technique, Johnny. Just sound like you know what you’re talking about—as if you’re reciting facts. Talk very fast. Weave your lies into the shape of a conspiracy theory and repeat your assertions over and over again. Those who want an excuse to hate or blame—those with big but weak egos—will leap at a simple, neat explanation for the way the world is. Those types will never call you on the facts.”

    p. 255

13. 

    Survivalists. Gordon felt a wave of revulsion.

    p. 114

14. 

    Freedom was wonderful beyond relief. But with it came that bitch, Duty.

    p. 270

That’s all the quotes.

14 quotes in the collection · come back when we add more