“They weren't supermen, or immune to pain. They sweated in confusion and darkness. And … they won.”

—  Lois McMaster Bujold , Vorkosigan Saga

Vorkosigan Saga, Borders of Infinity (1989)
Context: The loonies who sought a glorious death in battle found it very early on. This rapidly cleared the chain of command of the accumulated fools. The survivors were those who learned to fight dirty, and live, and fight another day, and win, and win, and win, and for whom nothing, not comfort, or security, not family or friends or their immortal souls, was more important than winning. Dead men are losers by definition. Survival and victory. They weren't supermen, or immune to pain. They sweated in confusion and darkness. And … they won.

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Lois McMaster Bujold 383
Science Fiction and fantasy author from the USA 1949

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