“This is a grim business. There’s nothing romantic about harassing an overwhelming power with no hope of winning.” “If he knows he can’t win, why doe… - Mike Resnick

It is the home of a very unusual race, as violent in their way as the people of Earth."
"I will assume that's a good thing to be," said Flint dryly.
"For the purpose of this proposition, it most definitely is," said Kargennian, ignoring Flint's undisguised animosity. "They have a culture that worships weaponry fully as much as yours does."
"I don't know that we actually worship it."
"Perhaps I used the wrong word," replied Kargennian. "But the fact remains that their history and cultures are as fully committed to firearms as your own. To this day, most of them carry hand weapons, as barbaric as the concept may seem.

“Let’s be reasonable,” suggests Bet-a-Bunch Murphy, which I personally think would make a pleasant change.

As for talking business," he continued carefully, "I haven't heard any offers yet."
"You're still alive," said MacLemore. "That's not necessarily a permanent condition.