E. E. Smith Quotes

Edward Elmer Smith (1890-1965)

E. E. Smith, publishing as E. E. Smith, Ph.D. and later as E. E. “Doc” Smith, was an American food engineer (specializing in doughnut and pastry mixes) and science-fiction author, best known for the Lensman and Skylark series. (E. E. Smith Quotes)

“A man swears to keep from crying, a woman cries to keep from swearing.”
E. E. Smith
Gray Lensman

“Afraid of spies with a sense of perception—Rigellians or Posenians or such. Just killed an Ordovik on general principles, over on the next block.”
E. E. Smith
Gray Lensman

“Because America, being a democracy, could not strike first, but had to wait—wait in instant readiness—until she was actually attacked.”
E. E. Smith
Triplanetary

“But the minions of the Law had one remaining weapon, carried expressly for this eventuality. The space–axe—a combination and sublimation of battle–axe, mace, bludgeon, and lumberman’s picaroon, a massively needle–pointed implement of potentialities limited only by the physical strength and bodily agility of its wielder.”
E. E. Smith
Galactic Patrol

“He was plunging deeper and deeper into the paroxysmally ecstatic profundity of a thionite debauch from which there was to be no awakening.”
E. E. Smith
Galactic Patrol

“How could he explain beauty, or music, or art, to this . . . this matriarchal savage? How explain cerise to a man born blind? And above all, who had ever heard of having to explain to a woman—to any woman, anywhere in the whole macrocosmic universe—that she in particular was beautiful?”
E. E. Smith
Second Stage Lensmen

“I know they shot first, they always do, but how does that change things?”
E. E. Smith
Gray Lensman

“If any one of you will concentrate upon one single fact, or small object, such as a pebble or the seed of a plant or other creature, for as short a period of time as one hundred of your years, you will begin to perceive its truth.”
E. E. Smith
Gray Lensman

“It has been argued that sexual equality is the most important criterion of that which we know as Civilization.”
E. E. Smith
Second Stage Lensmen

“It’s much better technique to learn things among friends than enemies,” Kinnison laughed.”
E. E. Smith
Galactic Patrol

“Life force. I would have lots of that, of course.” She did not blush, but Kit did. “Life force” was a pitifully inadequate term indeed for that which Civilization’s only Lensman–mother had in such measure, but they both knew what it was.” (E. E. Smith Quotes)
E. E. Smith
Children of the Lens

“Politicians only,” Helen reported, after a moment’s manipulation of the suddenly familiar instrument. “They need killing, of course, on general principles, but perhaps we shouldn’t take time for that now. The next place to look is a few degrees east of north of here.” Cleonie was not, however, in that city.”
E. E. Smith
Children of the Lens

“That you can now be called adult does not mean you have achieved your full power, only that you are able to acquire other and larger powers.”
E. E. Smith
Children of the Lens

“The Arisian compressed upon the Eighth’s brain a searing force which sent shrieking waves of pain throughout all nearby space.”
E. E. Smith
Gray Lensman

“The witnesses may be excused. Truth is the only thing of importance here, and witnesses, being human and therefore frail, obstruct truth more frequently than they further its progress.”
E. E. Smith
Galactic Patrol

“There never was no court yet that didn’t take orders from the big shots who keep the fat cats fat, and lawyers are the crookedest ‘damn crooks in the universe.”
E. E. Smith
Children of the Lens

“They did not ask him why he wanted that data. They may have wondered at his temerity in daring to scout alone a fortress whose strength had kept at bay the massed Patrol forces of the sector, but if they did so they kept their thoughts well screened. For this was a Gray Lensman, and very evidently a super–powered individual, even of that select group whose weakest members were powerful indeed.”
E. E. Smith
Galactic Patrol

“Working hypotheses, young man, must be based upon accurately determined facts; not upon mere guesses, superstitions, or figments of personal prejudices.”
E. E. Smith
Second Stage Lensmen