Matthew Hughes (writer)

““Your remarks demonstrate how proximity narrows perspective,” said Gaskarth. “Events in and of themselves are less pertinent than the effects and interpretations to which they give rise.””

““I suspect that the benefits of travel are indeed overrated. It seems mostly hardship and needless frustration,” she said.”

““I am not one to deny the broadening effects of distant lands,” offered Nofreg, “yet I have often said that the chief benefit of travel is to allow the returned sojourner a renewed appreciation of his native milieu.””

“Into the Zeelotic ethos, we have injected the philosophical axiom—well known to the field of fashion—that the outmoded only remains so until it becomes unremembered, after which it may justly return as the avant-garde.”

“Gathering himself together, he asked the dwarf, “Was all this in some way planned and predetermined?”Gaskarth turned upon the young man a thoughtful gaze. “There are those who say that all is planned, to the placement of the last mote and mite. There are others who say that nothing is purposed, and that the galaxies themselves swing where they will. And then there are some, like me, who prefer to walk on, saying as little as possible.””

““Knowledge can be a hindrance to right action,” answered the little man. “There are those who hold that, if we but knew the full ramifications of even our least deeds, the ensuing concatenations of cause and effect would paralyze us with indecision.””

“Coming whence you do, you doubtless assume that the mores and customs of your own land arise from the workings of simple human nature. But human nature is far from simple, and what appears natural in your own milieu may seem chillingly alien when transported into some foreign sphere.”

““In any case”—he gestured at the car—“this vehicle has achieved a state of permanent inanimation.””

““Down among your... population, in addition to labor organizers, you’re bound to have a few public relations consultants.”“Quite a few,” said the Archfiend. “It’s a field that rewards amoral inventiveness.””

“But from its inception, the labor movement had attracted the same range of opportunists and self-servers as would any activity that offered the unscrupulous an avenue toward power and self-enrichment.”

“Hell, like Heaven, was an autocracy.”

“The young man glanced at the document. His first thought was that its author must have learned penmanship from a seismograph.”

“In adolescence, Chesney had drifted away from old-time religion. He found too many contradictions and absurdities in scripture. Besides, he had found a more reliable truth in the elegant architectures of mathematics.”

““I will give you,” said Grolion, “a promissory note for a handsome sum, redeemable the moment I am restored to my birthright.”“The restoration of your fortunes, though no doubt inevitable, is not guaranteed to arrive before the sun goes out.””

“The resident made a casual gesture. “These are matters of history, of which our old Earth has already far too much. We need not consider them.”“True,” said Grolion, “we have only now. But some ‘nows’ are connected to particularly pertinent ‘thens’ and the prudent man takes note of the connections.””

“The resident said, “I have heard it argued that the world as it is now arranged must be the right order of things, for a competent Creator would not allow disequilibrium.”Grolion found the concept jejeune. “My view is that the world is an arena in which men of deeds and courage drive the flow of events.””

“Bunker Hill Sansom—though he told everyone to call him Bunky, and God help any who didn’t—had made his billions by finding new ways to do old things. Inarguably, his ways were better ways, provided your definition of “better” was “more fashionable.””

“To me, the human body was not a quasi-metaphysical mystery to be unraveled. It was a kind of soft machine whose parts could be repaired when they broke down, or—even better—replaced entirely with materials God would have used if He’d only had access to teflon and stainless steel.”

“A research scientist is someone who cannot rest content within the confines of existing knowledge, but always itches to know what is over the horizon.Or it’s somebody who doesn’t know to leave well enough alone.”

““That does not sound like I’m getting an answer soon.”“We’re glad you understand.”“No,” says Jason, “I don’t understand!”“Then we’re sorry you don’t understand.””