““You are still infested with hope. You think there is a life worth living somewhere, and that some combination of action, restraint, knowledge, and luck will save you, if only you can get the mix right. Well, I’ve got news for you. Right here, right now—this is as good as it gets.”
“Things will get better!”
“Have they ever?” The dragon’s contempt was palpable. The cabin hatch hissed open. “Go. Return to your dormitory room and enjoy your present. Come back when you’ve grown large enough to look upon futility without flinching. Come back when you’ve despaired and moved beyond despair to vengefulness. Come back when you’ve decided to stop lying to yourself.””
Source: The Iron Dragon's Daughter (1993), Chapter 17 (p. 304)
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Michael Swanwick 96
American science fiction author 1950Related quotes

Addressing parents at Loreto Convent high school in Mombasa in June 2012. allAfrica.com: Kenya: Kenneth Accuses State of Neglecting Sports, Brian, Otieno, allafrica.com, 2012 [26 June 2012 http://allafrica.com/stories/201206270168.html,, 16 July 2012]

CNN Town Hall Meeting, responding to DACA audience member about her concern that she could be deported by ICE, CNN "Transcripts" http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1701/12/se.01.html aired 12 January 2017.
Reported in Lucian McCarty, "Sen. Roy McDonald Comes to his decision on the same-sex marriage measure after careful consideration, remains firm in his support despite criticism", The Saratogian (June 2011).
This was on Senator McDonald's change of vote from a "no" in 2009 to a "yes" in 2011.
“Your life only gets better when you get better.”