Poul Anderson quotes

We live with our archetypes, but can we live in them? (Poul Anderson)
I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated. View quote
Poul Anderson
I wrote the first book, Harvest of Stars, and as I was writing it, I saw that certain implications had barely been touched on... It's perfectly obvious that two completely revolutionary things are going on, with cybernetics, and biological science. View quote
Poul Anderson
In Harvest of Stars, there is this notion, not original with me of course, that it will become possible to download at least the basic aspects of a human personality into a machine program... View quote
Poul Anderson
So much American science fiction is parochial -- not as true now as it was years ago, but the assumption is one culture in the future, more or less like ours, and with the same ideals, the same notions of how to do things, just bigger and flashier technology. Well, you know darn well it doesn't work that way... View quote
Poul Anderson
A man isn't really alive till he has something bigger than himself and his own little happiness, for which he'd gladly die. View quote
Poul Anderson
You know what they say about bold spacemen never becoming old spacemen. View quote
Poul Anderson
Anybody can find infinite Mandelbrot figures in his navel. View quote
Poul Anderson
Timidity can be as dangerous as rashness. View quote
Poul Anderson
Light fills the air, wind is aglow, drink of it, breathe of it, make leafing. Rainfall sows itself, it grows down through soil to the secret places where stones abide; it brings the strength of them up rootward. Lie still, molder away, then be again grass. View quote
Poul Anderson
You are much too kind,” said Holger, overwhelmed. "Nay.” Alfric waved his hand. "You mortals know not how tedious undying life can become, and how gladly a challenge such as this is greeted. 'Tis I should thank you. (Poul Anderson)
A fanatic is a man who, when he's lost sight of his purpose, redoubles his effort. View quote
Poul Anderson
Are you that afraid to die?” "No. I simply like to live. View quote
Poul Anderson
What five books would I like to be remembered for? Well... Tau Zero, I like that one especially. It was somewhat of a tour de force, and I think it got across what I was trying for. View quote
Poul Anderson
But your sign says you can conjure up ever-filled purses,” Holger began. "Advertising,” Martinus admitted. "Corroborative detail intended to lend artistic verisimilitude. View quote
Poul Anderson
Above everything else, perhaps, was today's concept of working together. I don't mean its totalitarian version, for which Jack Havig had total loathing, or that "togetherness,” be it in a corporation or a commune, which he despised. I mean an enlightened pragmatism that rejects self-appointed aristocrats, does not believe received doctrine is necessarily true, stands ready to hear and weigh what anyone has to offer, and maintains well-developed channels to carry all ideas to the leadership and back again. View quote
Poul Anderson
I think most human misery is due to well-meaning fanatics like him. View quote
Poul Anderson
Too far a retreat from reality is insanity. View quote
Poul Anderson
Holger wished he had read the old tales more closely; he had only a dim childhood recollection of them. View quote
Poul Anderson
Don't get me wrong. These people are mine. I like and in many ways admire them. They're the salt of the earth. It's simply that I want other condiments too. View quote
Poul Anderson
She rarely saw priest-and knowing her heart sinned, was glad of that. Dreary was a church after the woodlands and hills and sounding sea. She still loved God-and was not the earth His work, and a church only man's?-but she could not bring herself to call on Him very often. (Poul Anderson)
Everard sighed, switched off his conscience, and began lying. View quote
Poul Anderson
As evil waxes, the very men who stand for good will in their fear use ever worse means o' fighting, and thereby give evil a free beachhead. View quote
Poul Anderson
I think you look on death as your friend,” she murmured. "That is a strange friend for a young man to have.” "The only faithful friend in this world,” he said. "Death is always sure to be at your side. View quote
Poul Anderson
Here was more than a question of law; it was a matter of whose will should prevail. View quote
Poul Anderson