Quotes from Anne McCaffrey

These are the quotes tweeted over the past week, and all but the last of them were from Anne McCaffrey’s Pern books.

“It would be simple … but … it wasn’t simple.” The Masterharper of Pern. “It” is suicide, after Robinton’s wife has died, partly of her exposure on their honeymoon.

“A man convinced against his will is of his old opinion still.” The Masterharper of Pern. An old saw that Robinton repeats to F’lon, trying to keep him from further antagonizing the Lord Holders.

“There’s nothing wrong in doubting. It sometimes leads to greater faith.” Dragonflight, the first book written in the Pern series. F’lar to Lessa, when she is expressing her doubt that Thread will fall again.

“Living was striving to do something impossible.” Dragonflight. Lessa’s thought after the first fall. It continues, “to succeed or die, knowing you had tried!”

“I don’t know how to get to a when that has not yet happened.” Dragonflight. F’lar, in response to Robinton’s suggestion that he use the dragons’ ability to go across time to see if his plan is working.

“The real problem is to reconcile the old with the new.” Dragonquest. F’lar, speaking to Lessa and realizing that the fight over the knife was only a symptom of the gap in perceptions of those brought forward in time 400 years and the present-day Pern.

“I’d get myself in serious trouble someday because I couldn’t tell love from lust.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Derik is speaking to Roi, saying what he’d been told long ago. He has had to invade Roi’s memories to tell why he didn’t key a response properly, and found what Roi really thought of his advances.

Quotes from Ann McCaffrey

The first six quotes are from The Masterharper of Pern, by Anne McCaffrey. All of these quotes were tweeted from @sueannbowling over the last week.

“Learn to take honest praise with the same dignity with which you’ve received criticism.” Masterharper Gennell to Robinton, as he is deciding where to send him for his first assignment as a Journeyman.

“Let’s not borrow trouble until it comes our way.” Lobirn, when Robinton is his journeyman and Fax is still merely a holder.

“Knowledge had a way of penetrating any barriers set to exclude it.” Robinton is hoping that parents will pass their knowledge to their children in Fax’s hold, since Fax will not allow the harpers to educate them.

“A wall has two sides, my friends.”  Robinton, mediating a dispute over who should rebuild a broken wall.

“If you believe in anything—anything—keep that faith. ” Masterharper Minnarden talking to Robinton, about Robinton’s (and his) belief that Thread will fall again.

“Got yourself in, get yourself out.” Robinton’s chant as he tries to sail his and Kassia’s honeymoon sloop to safety.

“Lions don’t climb trees.” Roi’s frantic thought as he is attacked by a puma (which he has never seen before) from a tree branch. Bowling, Tourist Trap.