AoC

“Why axes? Why not Lewistons, or rifles, or pistols? Because the space armor of that day could withstand almost indefinitely the output of two or three hand-held projectors; because the resistance of its defensive fields varied directly as the cube of the velocity of any material projectile encountering them. Thus, and strangely enough, the advance of science had forced the re-adoption of that long-extinct weapon.”
― E.E. "Doc" Smith, First Lensman

“The Catmaster stepped forward and extended his hand. Man and underman, they faced each other with a kindness and gratitude which was so poignant as to be very close to grief.

Neither of them wept. Neither.

They shook hands without speaking or spieking.”
― Cordwainer Smith, Norstrilia

“You’re going to care! Because those babies are going to come busting out of those sacs, and those babies are the only hope we have, and you know it. Our genes, yours, mine, Celia’s, those genes are the only thing that stand between us and oblivion. And I won’t allow it, David! I refuse it!”
― Kate Wilhelm, Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang

“She looked up at the sky and closed her eyes briefly, as if even God would have trouble believing the depths of my ignorance.”
― T. Kingfisher, What Feasts at Night