Edgar Pangborn Quotes

I learned some years back that human nature is volatile stuff in a world full of lighted matches.

At one point early in his journal Dr. Bannerman describes himself as “a naturalist of the puttering type—I would rather sit on a log then write monographs: it pays off better.”

Patience is a narcotic for the weak.

And where is your guarantee against war in that, Miles?
"There can't be any except in human ethical maturity. A sensible political structure would help enormously, but there's going to be risk of war so long as men think they can justify hating strangers and grabbing for power. Human hearts and minds are basic—the rest is mechanics."

Namir would know all the uses of scandal and innuendo and half-truths. Strange weapons, so easy to take up, the stain indelible on user and victim.

Haven’t you stopped to wonder why men want a scapegoat? What is it, what was it ever, but a device to help them avoid looking at themselves?

They measure rank as Mussolini did, by the amount of carpet between door and desk.