Jack Vance Quotes

American mystery and speculative fiction writer (1916–2013)

John Holbrook Vance (August 28, 1916 – May 26, 2013) was an award-winning science fiction and fantasy author, who wrote the four-book Dying Earth series.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pen Names: Ellery Queen • Alan Wade • Peter Held • John van See • Jay Kavanse

Birth Name: John Holbrook Vance

Alternative Names: John H. Vance

From Wikidata (CC0)

Die then. This is my cure for sore knees.

The colour, noise and festivity failed to elevate Carfilhiot’s mood; in fact—so he told himself—never had he witnessed so much pointless nonsense.

What a strange and unfamiliar world if everyone were treated according to his deserts!

Who is seducing whom? If we are working to the same ends, there is no need for so many cross-purposes.

Kings, like children, tend to be opportunistic. Generosity only spoils them. They equate affability with weakness and hasten to exploit it.

Aillas groaned. “Destiny could never be so unkind.”
Suldrun said in a soft voice: “Destiny doesn’t really care.”

Nothing is more conspicuous than a farting princess.

“I am not skilled at inventing punishments.”
“Nor are they to my taste. I enjoy creating conditions of justice. All too often, however, I must ordain harsh penalties. It is the disagreeable side to my work. The preferences of the criminal, of course, can’t be considered; as often as not, he will opt for leniency even no punishment whatever.”

“I wonder, sir, if you’d be good enough to advise me.”
“Certainly, within the limits of discretion,” said Eubanq. “I should warn you, however, that free advice is usually not worth its cost.”

The words must be spoken. The thoughts must be thought. The plans must be planned. The deeds must be done.

“Still, moderation, I beg of all of you!”
“But not too much of it!” Dobbo called out. “We’d be defeating only ourselves. Moderation must be practiced in moderation.”

“Why not cancel the affair? There’ll be opportunities in the future.”
“But I’m not confident of the future! It’s a spinning top which can totter in any direction!”

It is all sheer egocentricity: the myth of self triumphant over destiny!

Every Arrabin desperately asserts his individuality, with personal tricks and fads. A futile kind of life, no doubt, but isn’t all life futile?

Jantiff gave a hollow laugh. “Who now is the exploiter, monopolist, elitist tycoon and all the rest? What of egalism now?”
Esteban retorted in a debonair, if somewhat edgy, voice: “Egalism is all very well, and I subscribe to it! Still: why deny the obvious? Everyone wants to make the most of their life.”