Lois McMaster Bujold
American author of science fiction and fantasy works, most noted for the works in her Vorkosigan Saga.
Those who do not know their history are doomed to keep stepping in it.
Home is where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.
"So much for that line of reasoning, Lord Richars," Ekaterin finished. She sat back with a hand-dusting gesture, and added, by no means under her breath, "Twit'.'"
"You must go home eventually."
"I would throw myself off a precipice first, except that I would land in the arms of the gods, Whom I do not wish to see again."
"Mercy from the Father and the Mother, mercy from the Sister and the Brother, Mercy from the Bastard, five times mercy, High Ones, we beseech you."... Mercy, High Ones. Not justice, please, not justice. We would all be fools to pray for justice.
How can I give you up? You're the mountains and the lake, the memories — you have them all. When you're with me, I'm at home, wherever I am.
The gods' most savage curses come upon us as answers to our own prayers, you know.
He gave himself up to God and pressed the button.
Second sight is redundant to reason anyway.
A weapon is a device for making your enemy change his mind.
Hi, I'm a hero, but I can't tell you why. It's classified.
Let he who is without sin cast the first lure.
A tactical retreat is not a bad response to a surprise assault, you know. First you survive. Then you choose your own ground. Then you counterattack.
It's... a transcendental act. Making life. I thought about that when I was carrying Miles. 'By this act, I bring one death into the world.' One birth, one death, and all the pain and acts of will between.
The wounded want power, nothing else; they think it will keep them from being hurt again.
Seems to me the only difference between your friends and your enemies is how long they stand around chatting before they shoot you.
It's important that someone celebrate our existence... People are the only mirror we have to see ourselves in. The domain of all meaning. All virtue, all evil, are contained only in people. There is none in the universe at large. Solitary confinement is a punishment in every human culture.
If you ever have to make a choice between learning and inspiration, choose learning. It works more of the time.
If you make it plain you like people, it's hard for them to resist liking you back.
Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards.