53 Quotes by Ken MacLeod

As far as I was concerned, the best thing one could do for the poor was to not add one’s self to their number.

For we have seen the future – we have by now centuries of experience of the future – and we know it doesn't work.

But isn't it enough that I just don't want it?""No," said Fiona. "It isn't enough.""Why not?""Well, if that was enough, if just saying no and not giving a reason was enough, where would we be? It would just be chaos.

Intellectually he understood perfectly what the problem was: guilt and doubt, the waste products of innocence and faith, inhibited him and filled him with self-loathing even at his own weakness in trying to be free of them.

English is so past,’ she said. ‘Sure, we need people who can write about what we do, but they don’t have to be English graduates. Theology graduates who don’t believe any of it – that would be useful.

I was overcome by a wave of wonder at how much good was going on, and how you heard about the bad things that happened so much that you overlooked the immensely disproportionate majority of other acts done to the real benefit of self and others without which none of this would be here at all.

Change the problem by changing your mind.

The Christians had an almost miraculous talent for turning wine into water.

You must rely on reason and science,” she said, “and be guided by a likewise rational ethic of human concern. You must do your utmost as individuals to improve your understanding, ability and compassion.