Patrick E. McLean > Quotes

“Throughout history, more has been lost to over-eager zealots than to mediocre slackers. A slacker leaves well enough alone. A zealot, a true patriot or company man, will keep pushing and pushing and pushing until the situation is screwed up beyond all recognition. If not properly motivated and constrained, a zealot is the most destructive force of all.”
― Patrick E. McLean, Hostile Takeover

“For all the clever jokes that could be made here involving "mind" and "matter" there is one sure and certain variation you can take with you to the grave: "In the grand scheme of things you don't matter very much, and the laws of physics don't mind at all.”
― Patrick E. McLean, Hostile Takeover

“There is no such thing as coincidence, Topper. It is always, always your enemies conspiring against you." (from How to Succeed in Evil)”
― Patrick E. McLean

“Topper had once heard a saying, "If you set out on the path to revenge, first dig two graves." But things worked a little differently in the savage dwarf's head. So, he had remembered it like this, "If you set out on the path to revenge, first pour two glasses." And that's exactly what he did.”
― Patrick E. McLean, Hostile Takeover

“Edwin is prepared to believe that a glass exists. And further, that this glass holds liquid.”
― Patrick E. McLean, How to Succeed in Evil

“DeChevue entered the room. His long coat, which was draped across his shoulders, flowed behind him like a cape. An absurd effect, Edwin thought. If clothes make the man, Edwin was moved to wonder, then what has this horrible affection made of this individual?”
― Patrick E. McLean, Consultation With a Vampire

“You hunt and catch your own food. Am I correct?"

"We are fierce predators of the night," DeChevue said proudly.

Edwin tried again, "You hunt and gather your own food?"

DeChevue still didn't get it. "Yes, M'sieur. We hunt, proudly."

"You know, there is a special name for people who have to catch and kill everything they eat."

"And that name has been the terror of the night from the dawn of man. Which name would you like? I can supply many. Nosferatu? Das Vampire?"

"Peasant," Edwin said. "A person who has to provide all his own food is a peasant. How is it that you have lived all this time and are still ignorant of the division of labor?"

DeChevue's mouth opened and closed several times. Each time he seemed on the verge of saying something, yet each time words failed him.”
― Patrick E. McLean, Consultation With a Vampire

“He is called Excelsior. In Latin the name means "ever higher". This impossible man does not know this. To be fair, there are a lot of words he doesn't know.”
― Patrick E. McLean, How to Succeed in Evil

“But the concepts of the physical sciences were ill-adapted to a world filled with acting men and women. The psychologic, the economic, these were matters for which no equation could reliably provide truth. For today's statistical relationship was sure to be turned on it's head tomorrow by a change of preference or fancy. Electrons can be excited, but they do not panic. Observe as many favorable conditions for a riot as you may like, better yet set all of them, and still a riot may not happen. And you will probably never know why your plan of domestic unrest was foiled." (From How to Succeed in Evil)”
― Patrick E. McLean

“She sucked in air as if the only reason for her to breathe was to expel pain.”
― Patrick E. McLean

“Come now, Mr. Windsor. Even with your limited knowledge and frame of reference, you must recognize that diplomacy is merely a cover for the most savage acts of mankind.”
― Patrick E. McLean, Consultation With a Vampire

“Marijuana-steeped conversations concerning questions of wave formation often take on mystical dimensions. Oceanographers and meteorologists can get even farther out there. They smoke math.”
― Patrick E. McLean, How to Succeed in Evil

“he might admit a certain — well, not hope, you understand, but let’s just say Edwin is prepared to believe that a glass exists. And further, that this glass holds liquid.”
― Patrick E. McLean, How to Succeed in Evil

“Your heart is full of money,” said Asarah. “Money and mistrust.” “No,” said Boltac, “It’s not full. There’s room for more money.”
― Patrick E. McLean, The Merchant Adventurer