# Quote — Stephen Baxter, Flux

> “But Parz was better than nothing: it offered stability, regulation, a framework to live in. People gripe about their tithes—and nobody’s going to pretend that the Committee gets it right all the time—but most of us would prefer taxes to living wild. With all respect to you, my friend.” He bit into his cake. “And that’s still true today; as true as it ever was.”

- Author: [Stephen Baxter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter.md)
- Book: [Flux](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter/flux.md)
- Page: 497
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_Baxter#Flux_(1993)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter/flux/but-parz-was

## More from this book

> Why should it be so? It was as if humans built such places as this with the sole purpose of finding ways to dominate each other.
>
> Muub listened to Adda’s clumsy explanation of this. “But it’s inevitable,” he said, his face neutral. “You have to have organization—hierarchy—if you are to run the complex, interlinking systems which sustain a society like the City with its hinterland. And only within such a society can man afford art, science, wisdom—even leisure of the most brutish sort, like these Games. And with hierarchies comes power.” He smiled at Adda, condescending once more. “People aren’t very noble, upfluxer. Look around you. Their darker side will find expression in any situation where they can best each other.”

p. 504 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter/flux/why-should-it.md)

> You’re a damn fool, boy. I want you to know that now, in case I don’t get a chance to tell you later.

p. 554 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter/flux/youre-a-damn.md)

> Mind you, flatulence was one skill he had bettered as he had got older.

p. 326 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-baxter/flux/mind-you-flatulence.md)