All forms of sexual loving become acceptable if the lovers wear togas or wolfskins.

I read a lot of archaeology and early history in a general way, not thinking particularly of this book, and this provided me with the background. It showed me how, possibly, the people lived back then.

there is nothing sorer to the spirit than falling below what one's lover thinks of one.

... the fishermen of Port Sonas care only for the two things, fishing and women. And there's some that are no' that keen on the fishing.

the best committee's a committee of one!

The lesser evil is also evil.

Good will, that curious product of consciousness, of leisure and energy to spare and share. That thing we put out against the forces of interest. That extra thing. Religions and nations and political parties have taken it and used it as coinage, have said you must only give it in exchange for value.