Jack Vance

Count me not your friend but the enemy of your enemies.

“I would define ‘avarice’ as a consequence of the human estate: a condition arising from turbulence and inequality. In none of the paradises, where conditions are no doubt optimum, does ‘avarice’ exert force. Here, we are men struggling toward perfection and ‘avarice’ is a station along the way.”

Aillas replied that while King Audry cited several points of technical interest, and used the resources of abstract logic in an adroit manner, he had actually made no connection with reality.

Sir, my life, drab and insipid though it may seem to others, is the only life given me to live.

“Why not alter the habits of a lifetime and speak with candour?” asked Shimrod. “Truth, after all, need not be only the tactic of last resort.”

A single question remained, the age-old cry of anguish: “How could one so beautiful be so base?”

They call me a renegade.

The epithet is inaccurate and undeserved. I cannot be faithless to a cause which I never have endorsed. Indeed, I am absolutely faithful to the only cause I espouse, which is my own welfare. I take pride in this unswerving loyalty!

“Poor Pymfyd! Your world is built of fear and dread! As for me, I have no time for such emotions.”

Pymfyd spoke in an even voice. “You are a royal princess and I may not call you a witless little fool, even should the thought cross my mind.”

Madouc turned him a sad blue-eyed glance. “So that, after all, is your concept of me.”

“I will say only this: persons who fear nothing are soon dead.”

What is peace? Balance three iron skewers tip to tip, one upon the other; at the summit, emplace and egg, so that it too poises static in mid-air, and there you have the condition of peace in this world of men.

Beauty compelled admiration and erotic yearning; such was its organic function. But never by itself could it command love.

It is all sheer egocentricity: the myth of self triumphant over destiny!

“I wonder, sir, if you’d be good enough to advise me.”

“Certainly, within the limits of discretion,” said Eubanq. “I should warn you, however, that free advice is usually not worth its cost.”