Quotes from work
Dying Earth

Dying Earth is a fantasy series by the American author Jack Vance, comprising four books originally published from 1950 to 1984.


Jack Vance photo

“Notice this rent in my garment; I am at a loss to explain its presence! I am even more puzzled by the existence of the universe.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Eyes of the Overworld (1966), Chapter 5, "The Pilgrims"
Source: Tales of the Dying Earth

Jack Vance photo

“Mischief moves somewhere near and I must blast it with my magic!”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Dying Earth (1950), Chapter 1, "Turjan of Miir"

Jack Vance photo

“I do not care to listen; obloquy injures my self-esteem and I am skeptical of praise.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Eyes of the Overworld (1966), Chapter 1, "The Overworld"

Jack Vance photo

“We need no chieftain; such folk eat more than their share.”

"Fader's Waft", chapter 13
Dying Earth (1950-1984), Rhialto the Marvellous (1984)

Jack Vance photo

“It is useless, after all, to complain against inexorable reality.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), Cugel's Saga (1983), Chapter 5, section 2, "The Bagful of Dreams"

Jack Vance photo

“Guyal reined his horse and reflected that flowers were rarely cherished by persons of hostile disposition.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Dying Earth (1950), Chapter 6, "Guyal of Sfere"

Jack Vance photo
Jack Vance photo

“Human interactions, stimulated as they are by disequilibrium, never achieve balance. In even the most favorable transaction, one party—whether he realizes it or not—must always come out the worse.”

"Morreion" (first published in Flashing Swords #1, March 1973), chapter 4
Dying Earth (1950-1984), Rhialto the Marvellous (1984)

Jack Vance photo

“I categorically declare first my absolute innocence, second my lack of criminal intent, and third my effusive apologies.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Eyes of the Overworld (1966), Chapter 4, "The Sorcerer Pharesm"

Jack Vance photo

“Ildefonse said ponderously: "If your analysis is correct, we must undertake to secure the future against this pangynic nightmare."”

"The Murthe", chapter 2
Dying Earth (1950-1984), Rhialto the Marvellous (1984)

Jack Vance photo

“Cease the bickering! I am indulging the exotic whims of a beautiful princess and must not be distracted.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Eyes of the Overworld (1966), Chapter 1, "The Overworld"

Jack Vance photo

“Enough of this intolerable inanity! I propose that such loquacity passes beyond the scope of the nuisance and over the verge of turpitude.”

"Morreion", chapter 8
Dying Earth (1950-1984), Rhialto the Marvellous (1984)

Jack Vance photo
Jack Vance photo

“It was right and proper to exploit the excellences of the moment, but still, when conditions reached an apex, there was nowhere to go but down.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), Cugel's Saga (1983), Chapter 2, section 3, "The Ocean of Sighs"

Jack Vance photo
Jack Vance photo
Jack Vance photo

“And, stretching in languid warmth, she contrived to twist her body into first one luxurious position, then another.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), The Eyes of the Overworld (1966), Chapter 2, "Cil"

Jack Vance photo
Jack Vance photo
Jack Vance photo

“I challenge Destiny, yes, but I do not leap off cliffs.”

Source: Dying Earth (1950-1984), Cugel's Saga (1983), Chapter 1, section 2, "The Inn of Blue Lamps"

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