Cease the bickering! I am indulging the exotic whims of a beautiful princess and must not be distracted. - Jack Vance

There are also those who, like the author, ensconce themselves on a thunderous crag of omniscience, and with protestations of humility which are either unconvincing or totally absent, assume the obligation of appraisal, commendation, derogation or denunciation of their contemporaries. Still, by and large it is an easier job than digging a ditch.

“Where are the Red Devil bones?”
“Not far distant: beyond the ridge. Can you not sense the presence of so much death?”
Ifness responded in a measured voice: “An intellect in full control of itself unfortunately must sacrifice that receptivity which distinguishes the primitive mentality. This is an evolutionary step I have, on the whole, been happy to make.”

Who are our basic enemies? This is a secret, unknown even to those basic enemies.