513 Quotes by Lois McMaster Bujold

"Women shouldn't be in combat," said Vorkosigan, grimly glum. "Neither should men, in my opinion."

"Ethan thought he understood how a propaganda-stuffed young soldier must feel the first time in combat, stumbling by some sudden chance over his enemy's human face. He had gloried for a red moment in his power to break her. Now he stood foolishly with the pieces in his hands. Not at all heroic."

"Actually, the full bell curve goes: brilliant; pretty good; mediocre; mediocre and interminable; dire; vile; dire and vile; and dire, vile, and interminable."

"Growing up, I have discovered over time, is rather like housework: never finished."

"The strangeness of the Barrayaran government system with all its unwritten customs, pressed on Cordelia not so much as first glance but gradually. And yet it seemed to work for them somehow. They made it work, pretending a government into existence. Perhaps all governments were all consensus fictions at their hearts."

"[T]he route of a pilgrimage should serve its spiritual goal. Which may be simple or manifold, but which will partake of at least one of five aims: service, supplication, gratitude, divination, and atonement."

"Think of this visit as an opportunity for a different kind of learning, then. Another day will put some other plate on your table, more to your taste, but do not waste the food in front of you."

"Lord X was a tyrant, not a revolutionary. He wanted to take over the system, not change it."

"Do it for yourself. The universe will be around to collect its cut later."

"Lately I have come to believe that the principle difference between Heaven and Hell is the company you keep there...."