218 Quotes by Iain Banks

I’ve always loved Scotland, and I’m not a huge fan of big cities, to be honest. I like them to dip into for a bit, but I’m not sure I would want to live in one again.

Look on the happy side, think of the good things. Hadn’t it been clever? Yes, it had.

There is only darkness, starless and complete. The waves glitter like a million dull knives.

This is not a long bridge, but it goes on for ever. I am not far from the bank, but I will never get there. I walk but I never move. Fast or slow, running, turning, doubling back, jumping, throwing myself or stopping; nothing makes any difference.

I think a lot of people are frightened of technology and frightened of change, and the way to deal with something you’re frightened of is to make fun of it. That’s why science fiction fans are dismissed as geeks and nerds.

And even a small amount of talent can go an appallingly long way, these days.

One should never regret one’s excesses, only one’s failures of nerve.

Technology determines the possibilities of society. It doesn’t matter whether you start out from a fascist state or a communist state or a free-market state.

It is good to remove oneself sometimes and get a sense of perspective from a little further away.