Eric Thomson > Quotes

“I tend to agree with the guy who said diplomacy is the art of saying ‘nice doggie’ until you can find a rock.”
― Eric Thomson, Like Stars in Heaven

“Why is it I think you’re lying, Brigid?” “Because you spent your entire life surrounded by liars and can’t fathom the concept of honesty? Or honor and integrity. Or any other attribute of a good officer.”
― Eric Thomson, Imperial Sunset

“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.”
― Eric Thomson, Imperial Ghosts

“Statistically, half of all humans are below median intelligence and easily led astray by the ten percent who combine above average intelligence with a defective sense of ethics.”
― Eric Thomson, Without Mercy

“You know, if I recall the historical records correctly, first contact with the Shrehari wasn’t nearly as complicated as this little family reunion with fellow sentients from Earth.” “Probably because when the Shrehari shot first, they didn’t miss,” Pushkin replied, deadpan.  “It set the tone for a refreshingly uncomplicated long-term relationship rather quickly, the current war excepted.  Besides, this is family business.” Siobhan looked at her first officer with the growing suspicion that he was amusing himself at someone’s expense.”
― Eric Thomson, Like Stars in Heaven

“People who are afraid will do anything to ease their terror, such as forcing elected officials to negotiate with radical groups.”
― Eric Thomson, Hard Strike

“people sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men and women stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
― Eric Thomson, Hard Strike

“Reality doesn’t care about anyone’s moods,”
― Eric Thomson, Hard Strike

“Problems accumulate over a long time while few see what’s happening, except the assholes who profit from the disorder.  And they add fuel to the fire so gradually no one notices the decline until suddenly everything goes to shit.  Then, people die.  In job lots.”
― Eric Thomson, No Remorse

“Empires, especially those born in violence, lived in violence.”
― Eric Thomson, No Remorse

“an idiot with delusions of military adequacy, but I expected better from the Guards. Not much, but a little.”
― Eric Thomson, Imperial Sunset

“But the moral balance sheet calculated in the safety of a sterile operations room meant absolutely nothing in front of a man who'd gone through the worst sort of hell because of one cold-blooded decision.”
― Eric Thomson, Death Comes But Once