I am not the man for this sort of business; I detest puzzlement. - Jack Vance

“The crime,” said the Jacynth softly, “is abstract and fundamental: the innate depravity of extinguishing life.”

Mardien sat glaring on the floor and Travec caught a glimpse of a wild, primordial beast. It was the swiftest of visions and he thought what marvelous disguises were beauty and civilization.

It is as well that the amok has no weapons other than his knife. Otherwise he would kill twenty where now he kills one.