Orson Scott Card Quotes

“I don’t plan to die for any cause,” said Jim Bowie. “Nor any man, excepting only myself. I know that ain’t noble, but it prolongs my days, which is philosophy enough for me.”

All children are manipulators.

Marriage is about banality. Its purpose is banality, to create an environment of surpassing safety and predictability for young children to grow up in, the foundation of life, the root of inner peace.

Only stupid men trying to seem smart need to be with dumb women. Only weak men trying to look strong are attracted to compliant women.

Boys always argued as if they knew then had the forces of logic on their side, even when they were being completely irrational.

What you are is a man who means to be good, and undo the bad he's done, and that's as good as any man ever gets.

We were all victims of an oppressive system, but that mattered far less to us than our deep bonding with our owners.

Adolescents never understand that the best way to avoid notice is to behave normally.

“What kind of stupid tale is that, when we just have to look at each other to know it isn’t true?”
“It has problems, I admit.”

Land was what they wanted, as if the mere ownership of dirt could turn a peasant into a squire.

“I have no fear of war,” said Arthur Stuart. “That’s when kings get to show their mettle.”
“You’re thinking of chess,” said Margaret. “In war, everyone has their chance to bleed.”

A dagger has only a single point, but a traitor cuts from anywhere.

Please open your mind to the possibility that I might be an honest man who was himself deceived.

“Part of the test,” said Sillain, “is seeing how well you obey orders.”
“Then I fail,” said John Paul.

You think this because you are a nasty person by nature, Calvin, and you don't understand nice people. To you, the end of existence is to control things, and so you will never build anything, but rather will try to take control of what is already in existence. Your brother, though, is by nature a Maker, as you explain it; therefore he cares nothing about who rules, but only about what exists.