You are much too kind," said Holger, overwhelmed. "Nay." Alfric waved his hand. "You mortals know not how tedious undying life can become, and how gl… - Poul Anderson

It isn’t possible to have equality. It’s been tried again and again in history, giving everybody a vote, and it’s always failed—always, in a few generations, the worse politicians drove out the better. Because by definition, half the people always have below-average intelligence; and the average is not high.

Don't talk, you," he said. "It hurts my ears. Nor think; that hurts your head.'

I was not speaking of minor ripples in the mainstream of history—certainly those are ruled by chance. But the broad current moves quite inexorably, I assure you.