Avram Davidson quotes - page 2

The ceremony was long and intricate, probably none of them could have explained why half of it was done, and the explanations for the other half would probably have been thoroughly incorrect. (Avram Davidson)
The fact that you know the questions,” he said, a mite grudgingly, "tends to make me think you might really know the answers. View quote
Avram Davidson
She spun, as a matter of form and status alone, her woollen yarn and her oft-breaking thread. What else did she spin? he wondered. And the answer, not spoken aloud, was, a web. And one that now seemed sure to hold him fast. To hold him fast indeed. View quote
Avram Davidson
It was but that, seeing him and so imagining that something about him was otherwise, automatically they feared him. View quote
Avram Davidson
He who has slain one, will he abstain from slaying many? View quote
Avram Davidson
Life continued, the wheel turned, the earth moved, and even death-that delightful biological necessity-was an aspect of life. View quote
Avram Davidson
How is your new woman? Your new-est one, I sh'd say.” Jack shrugged. "Good enough. They all got the same thing.” "Yeh-es,” Jeff nodded, judiciously. "But some of 'm's got more of it than others. View quote
Avram Davidson
Clearly this was no time to ask if they should first define their terms. Nor, for that matter, had Socrates had to define the bowl of hemlock. View quote
Avram Davidson
No greed was comparable to the appeal of self-sacrifice. View quote
Avram Davidson
"Drew a knife on us,” one muttered, with the sullen rage of the bully who feels wronged when resisted. View quote
Avram Davidson
It is not in the nature of any people that it should willingly endure being ruled by another people, whether it is ruled ill or ruled well. (Avram Davidson)
The beast is always doomed. It's better to face the fact honestly and not pretty it up with a lot of lies about blowing off steam and reducing tensions and getting rid of this and that, acting out anxieties, moment of truth. Piddle. There's an ancient word, I don't know what language it is. Bazazz. All those arguments are a lot of bazazz. Unless you're wiping out vermin or hunting for meat to eat, the man who kills animals does so because he likes to kill. And people who like to watch do so because they like to see things being killed. View quote
Avram Davidson
The short man was all of a piece, but there was nothing reassuring in this; it was a piece of the same material that too many high school principals, boys' camp directors, and military and naval officers are made of: a texture or quality often dignified by the description, "ability to command”-the desire to bully, override, bear down-the capacity to do so by virtue of office-the habit of having done so for a long time and the confidence of continuing to do so for a long time. View quote
Avram Davidson
And then in that, admittedly magnificent, abrupt moment you saw what I concede without argument was the face of rather an attractive wench, and-Zeus! you weren't thinking, man-you were simply reacting. It wasn't your heart, it was your codpiece that the impulse came from! View quote
Avram Davidson
Hmm...hmm. A stag hunt. To what elaborate lengths the equestrian classes go in order to draw out the simple business of butchering venison. View quote
Avram Davidson
What is cheaper than lust or of less value than alchemy or aphrodisiacs? View quote
Avram Davidson
Surely you'll at least see the Temple? Respect all religions, is my motto, believe in none. Sensible principle. Still, you know, must say, after all, two thousand beautiful priestesses! All ready, willing, able-and I must say-dextrous! View quote
Avram Davidson
"A conscientious and diligent scientist-” "-must remain a continual student,” a deep voice finished the quotation. View quote
Avram Davidson
Things were seldom what they seemed. People feared to tempt powers spiritual or temporal or illegal by displays of well being, and the brick screens in from of (or behind, depending on whether one were going in or going out) the doors blocked both the gaze of the curious and the path of demons. Demons can travel only in straight lines; it is the sons of men whose ways are devious. View quote
Avram Davidson