WIST Quotations

Miller, Walter M. -- “The Soul-Empty Ones,” Astounding Science Fiction (1951-08)

Dave — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:36:00 +0000

To mourn is to pity oneself. The dead feel nothing. The mourner does not pity the dead. He pities himself for having lost the living.

Walter M. Miller Jr. (1923–1996) American writer
“The Soul-Empty Ones,” Astounding Science Fiction (1951-08)

Miller, Walter M. -- “The Soul-Empty Ones,” Astounding Science Fiction (1951-08)

Dave — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:45:58 +0000

There is some wisdom, and some foolishness in every people’s way.

Walter M. Miller Jr. (1923–1996) American writer
“The Soul-Empty Ones,” Astounding Science Fiction (1951-08)

Miller, Walter M. -- “The Will” (1953)

Dave — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 21:27:51 +0000

There is a difference between tragedy and blind brutal calamity. Tragedy has meaning, and there is dignity in it. Tragedy stands with its shoulders stiff and proud. But there is no meaning, no dignity, no fulfillment, in the death of a child.

Walter M. Miller Jr. (1923–1996) American writer
“The Will” (1953)

Miller, Walter M. -- A Canticle for Leibowitz, “Fiat Homo,” ch. 6 (1959)

Dave — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 23:01:04 +0000

It was said that God, in order to test mankind which had become swelled with pride as in the time of Noah, had commanded the wise men of that age, among them the Blessed Leibowitz, to devise great engines of war such as had never before been upon the Earth, weapons of such might that they contained the very fires of Hell, and that God had suffered these magi to place the weapons in the hands of princes, and to say to each prince: “Only because the enemies have such a thing have we devised this for thee, in order that they may know that thou hast it also, and fear to strike. See to it, m’Lord, that thou fearest them as much as they shall now fear thee, that none may unleash this dread thing which we have wrought.” But the princes, putting the words of their wise men to naught, thought each to himself: If I but strike quickly enough, and in secret, I shall destroy these others in their sleep, and there will be none to fight back; the earth shall be mine.
Such was the folly of princes, and there followed the Flame Deluge.

Walter M. Miller Jr. (1923–1996) American writer
A Canticle for Leibowitz, “Fiat Homo,” ch. 6 (1959)

Miller, Walter M. -- A Canticle for Leibowitz, “Fiat Lux,” ch. 20 (1959)

Dave — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:32:23 +0000

Ignorance is king. Many would not profit by his abdication. Many enrich themselves by means of his dark monarchy. They are his Court, and in his name they defraud and govern, enrich themselves and perpetuate their power. Even literacy they fear, for the written word is another channel of communication that might cause their enemies to become united. Their weapons are keen-honed, and they use them with skill. They will press the battle upon the world when their interests are threatened, and the violence which follows will last until the structure of society as it now exists is leveled to rubble, and a new society emerges. I am sorry: But that is how I see it.

Walter M. Miller Jr. (1923–1996) American writer
A Canticle for Leibowitz, “Fiat Lux,” ch. 20 (1959)