Jack Vance

Quotes

1. Urbanized men and women experience not life but the abstraction of life, on ever higher levels of refinement and dislocation from reality. They become processors of ideas, and have evolved such esoteric occupations as the critic, the critic who criticizes criticism, and even the critic who criticizes criticism of criticism. It is a very sad misuse of human talent and energy.

   p. 264

2. 

   It does no good to hurry here. In fact, it may even be against the law.

   p. 361

3. 

   “You were notified in regard to a recent conclave of the Dexad at Wild Isle?”

   “Yes. I chose not to attend. In discussions I find myself consistently a minority of one, and my presence seems unnecessary.”

   p. 282

4. 

   Alice put her hands on his shoulder. “And now, what of you?”

   “What of me, how?”

   “You’re so quiet and subdued! You worry me. Are you well?”

   “Quite well. Deflated, perhaps. I have been deserted by my enemies. Treesong is dead. The affair is over. I am done.”

   p. 397

5. 

   There is no reason why the project should not go easily and smoothly except for the innate perversity of circumstances.

   p. 345

6. 

   “Do you deny the charges?”

   “I neither confirm nor deny them; they are ridiculous.”

   p. 408

7. 

   Evidently you do not trust me. This does not predispose me to trust you.

   p. 359

8. 

   “As always there is someone to hold a tight hand on the purse strings—usually the most affluent of the persons in authority.”

   “This is how they become affluent.”

   p. 322

9. 

   Surveillance portended unpleasant events: this on Tschai was an axiom of existence.

   p. 419

10. 

    For many years my nerves were like electric wires. Then I discovered the first axiom of human accord: I accept each person on his own terms. I keep a close tongue in my head; I offer opinions only when so solicited. What a remarkable change! Dissension vanishes, novel facts emerge, digestion flows like a wide river.

    p. 75

11. 

    The seconds marched past, traversing that mysterious boundary which separates future from past.

    p. 145

12. 

    The symbologist made a cryptic sign. “That remains to be seen, as the cat said who voided into the sugar bowl.”

    p. 432