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R. A. Lafferty Quotes

Writer

R. A. Lafferty was an American writer known for his unique science fiction and fantasy works. His writing is celebrated for its rich imagination and distinctive narrative style, which has had a profound impact on science fiction literature.

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All Men Stories Way Writing Conservative Destructive Ifs Long Mean Next

Famous R. A. Lafferty Quotes

“Though my short stories are the more readable, my novels do have more to say; and they will, if anyone has the patience for it, repay a rereading.”

Ifs Stories Novel Short Story Rereading

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“The best time to write a story is yesterday. The next best time is today.”

Writing Stories Today Next Yesterday Best Times

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“When we travel we find how greatly our boyhood dreams are outstripped by reality.”

Dream Reality Boyhood

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“An excess of science will leave none of us alive.”

Alive Excess

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“True love is that we should hate whatever interferes with our vision of the high and the lowly.”

Should Hate Love Is Vision Interfere True Love Is

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“I write as clearly as I am able to. I sometimes tackle ideas and notions that are relatively complex, and it is very difficult to be sure that I am conveying them in the best way. Anyone who goes beyond cliche phrases and cliche ideas will have this trouble.”

Way Writing Ideas Sometimes Able Difficult Trouble Complexes Notion Best Way Phrases Cliche Conveying

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“"Strangers may not lodge complaints till they have been in residence here for ninety days," the Cacique said, "and no stranger has ever remained with us that long." "My complaint won't hold for ninety days. I accuse you people of eating men."”

People Men May Long Has Beens Said Eating Stranger Complaints Ninety Lodges Residence

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“Do not be deceived by the way men of bad faith misuse words and names … Things are set up as contraries that are not even in the same category. Listen to me: the opposite of radical is superficial, the opposite of liberal is stingy; the opposite of conservative is destructive. Thus I will describe myself as a radical conservative liberal; but certain of the tainted red fish will swear that there can be no such fish as that. Beware of those who use words to mean their opposites. At the same time have pity on them, for usually this trick is their only stock in trade.”

“The opposite of liberal is stingy. The opposite of radical is superficial. The opposite of conservative is destructive. So I declare that I am a radical conservative liberal. Beware of men who use words to mean their opposites.”

Men Mean Use Opposites Conservative Radical Destructive Superficial Stingy

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“Death is for a long time. Those of shallow thought say that it is forever. There is, at least, a long night of it. There is the forgetfulness and the loss of identity. The spirit, even as the body, is unstrung and burst and scattered. One goes down to death, and it leaves a mark on one forever.”

Long Body Spirit Night Loss Forever Identity Long Time Mark Shallow Forgetfulness Long Nights Loss Of Identity

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“The lowest common denominator of the universe is both low and common.”

Universe Common Lows Lowest Common Denominator Lowest Common Denominator

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“We must kill the Devil afresh every day.”

Devil

Book:Past master

Source: Past master

“There is a secret society of seven men that controls the finances of the world. This is known to everyone but the details are not known. There are some who believe that it would be better if one of those seven men were a financier.”

Ifs Men World Believe Would Be Secret Known Seven Details Finance Secret Society Financiers

Book:Does Anyone Else Have Something Further to Add?

Source: Does Anyone Else Have Something Further to Add?

“The law of levity is allowed to supersede the law of gravity.”

Humor Law Gravity Levity

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“Every science is made up entirely of anomalies rearranged to fit.”

Made Science Fit Accounts Anomalies

Book:Lafferty in Orbit

Source: Lafferty in Orbit

“The good stories, of course, write themselves. And somebody wants to know who are the really good writers, and how many of them there are. There aren't any. Most of the writers are likeable frauds. Some are unlikable frauds.”

Knows Want Writing Stories Courses Fraud Good Story Good Writers Likeable

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“When you have shot and killed a man you have in some measure clarified your attitude toward him. You have given a definite answer to a definite problem. For better or worse you have acted decisively. In a way, the next move is up to him.”

Men Way Problem Moving Next Given Answers Attitude Humorous Shots Definite Next Move

Author:R. A. Lafferty

“Learn the true topography; the monstrous and wonderful archetypes are not inside you, not inside your consciousness; you are inside them, trapped and howling to get out”

Consciousness Learning Wonderful Trapped Monstrous Archetype Topography

Author:R. A. Lafferty

About the Author

Born: November 7, 1914
Died: March 18, 2002
Known for: Writer
Quotes: 18

Books & Sources

Does Anyone Else Have Something Further to Add?Related source material

Lafferty in OrbitRelated source material

Past masterRelated source material

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