Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.
Now any dogma, based primarily on faith and emotionalism, is a dangerous weapon to use on others, since it is almost impossible to guarantee that the weapon will never be turned on the user.
It is the chief characteristic of the religion of science that it works.
It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. (查看原文)
I(按:Asimov) came across some sentences by science-fiction writer and critic, James Gunn, who, in connection with the Foundation series, said, "Action and romance have little to do with the success of the Trilogy ?virtually allthe action takes place offstage, and the romance is almost invisible ?but the stories provide a detective-story fascination with the permutations and reversals of ideas." (查看原文)
Q. Then let us see how. Can the future be changed,Dr.Seldon?
A. Obviously. This courtroom may explode in the next few hours, or it may not. If it did, the future would undoubtedly be changed in some minor respects.
Q. You quibble, Dr.Seldon. Can the overall history of the human race be changed?
A. Yes.
Q. Easily?
A. No. With great difficulty.
Q. Why?
A. The psychohistoric trend of a planet-full of people contains a huge inertia. To be changed it must be met with something possessing a similar inertia. Either as many people must be concerned, or if the number of people be relatively small, enormous time for change must be allowed. Do you understand?
Q. I think I do. Trantor need not be ruined, if a great many people decide to act so that it will not.
A. That is right. (查看原文)
Q. Is it not obvious to anyone that the Empire is as strong as it ever was?
A. The appearance of strength is all about you. It would seem to last forever. However, Mr.Advocate, the rotten tree-trunk, until the very moment when the strong-blast breaks it in two, has all the appearance of might it ever had. The storm-blast whistles through the branches of the Empire even now. Listen with the ears of psychohistory, and you will hear the creaking. (查看原文)