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Quote by H. Beam Piper

“You mean, the people are armed?" Prince Bentrik was incredulous. "Great Satan, aren't yours?" Prince Trask was equally surprised. "Then your democracy's a farce, and the people are only free on sufferance. If their ballots aren't secured by arms, they're worthless.”

Quote by H. Beam Piper

Work

Space Viking

This book follows the journey of a viking in space, blending elements of science fiction with traditional viking lore. more

Author

H. Beam Piper
H. Beam Piper

H. Beam Piper was an American science fiction author, born on March 23, 1904, and died on November 6, 1964. Known for his hard science fiction style and visionary depictions of the future, his work has had a profound impact on science fiction literature. more

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“The obvious definition of a monarchy seems to be that of a state, in which a single person, by whatsoever name he may be distinguished, is entrusted with the execution of the laws, the management of the revenue, and the command of the army. But, unless public liberty is protected by intrepid and vigilant guardians, the authority of so formidable a magistrate will soon degenerate into despotism. The influence of the clergy, in an age of superstition, might be usefully employed to assert the rights of mankind; but so intimate is the connection between the throne and the altar, that the banner of the church has very seldom been seen on the side of the people. A martial nobility and stubborn commons, possessed of arms, tenacious of property, and collected into constitutional assemblies, form the only balance capable of preserving a free constitution against enterprises of an aspiring prince.”

“Killing is not something you do privately, in the space of your own head. It happens here.” She opened her arms, as though to embrace the whole world. “In the relationship between bodies…” “It's the same with love,” she went on. “You're going at the whole thing as though it's a problem with you, inside of you, sealed off from the rest of the world. It's not. Love isn't a part of you or your lover. It's not something you can have, like a pile of gold or a pet pig. Love is this,” She said, gesturing into the emptiness between us. “The space between.” “There's space everywhere,” I growled, “between everyone.” “Don't be obtuse, Pyrre. It's the nature of the space that matters.”