He’s like an imbecile with a pepper shaker; a little makes his food taste good, therefore a lot will make it wonderful. - Jack Vance

The vixen knew no other world than that in her own brain, had no conception that wills could exist in opposition to hers. Amusing now—but what a devil when she grew older!

“I made no such assertion,” Ifness said. “You drew a faulty inference, for which I cannot accept responsibility. In any event the situation is more complicated than you suppose, and you must be prepared for subtlety.”
“Subtlety or deception?” demanded Etzwane. “The effect is much the same.”
Ifness held up his hand. “I will explain the situation, if only to reduce the flow of your reproaches.”

We are sufficiently at the mercy of machines, Roger; if our music must necessarily be mechanical, then it is time for us to throw in the sponge, and abandon all hope for the future of humanity.