Top 15 Larry Niven Quotes

The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program. And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll serve us right!

Mother Nature doesn't care if you're having fun.

That's the thing about people who think they hate computers. What they really hate is lousy programmers.

1a) Never throw shit at an armed man.
1b) Never stand next to someone who is throwing shit at an armed man.

Ethics change with technology.

There is a technical, literary term for those who mistake the opinions and beliefs of characters in a novel for those of the author. The term is 'idiot'.

Never fire a laser at a mirror.

"Humans," said the puppeteer, "should not be allowed to run loose. You will surely harm yourselves."

"Exercise is wonderful," said Louis. "I could sit and watch it all day."

A civilization has the ethics it can afford

Never tell a computer to forget it.

The perversity of the Universe tends towards a maximum

The Product of Freedom and Security is a constant (F X S = k). Giving up freedom for security is beginning to look naive.

"I asked him, "Do you know the difference between nude and naked?"

He shook his head.

"Nude is artistic. Naked is defenseless.

Nitwit ideas are for emergencies. You use them when you've got nothing else to try. If they work, they go in the Book. Otherwise you follow the Book, which is largely a collection of nitwit ideas that worked.