For each human being there is an optimum ratio between change and stasis. Too little change, he grows bored. Too little stability, he panics and loses his ability to adapt. One who marries six times in ten years won't change… — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
Once every hundred years, the Los Angeles smog rolls away for a single night, leaving the air as clean as interstellar space. That way the gods can see if Los Angeles is still there. If it is, they roll the… — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
In challenging a kzin, a simple scream of rage is sufficient. You scream and you leap. — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
“There is no cause so good or noble that it will not attract fuggheads; and the fuggheads will get all the press.” — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
“Music had played suddenly through the cabin, complex and lovely, rich in minor tones, like the sad call of a sex-maddened computer. Nessus whistled.” — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
“have precious little free will," he was saying. "We're too intelligent not to see the right answers.” — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
“1a) Never throw shit at an armed man. 1b) Never stand next to someone who is throwing shit at an armed man.” — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
“I asked him, "Do you know the difference between nude and naked?" He shook his head. "Nude is artistic. Naked is defenseless.” — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
Intelligence is just a tool to be used toward a goal, and goals are not always chosen intelligently. — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
And every friend I've got has been writing Mars stories. It was pretty clear I'd never catch up. — Larry Niven Copy Share Image
