No literature is sound, no philosophy of action workable, if it doesn't take a hard look at itself. John W. Campbell More Quotes by John W. Campbell More Quotes From John W. Campbell Write me a creature that thinks as well as a man or better than a man, but not like a man. John W. Campbell writing men thinking That's the trouble with languages. They have to be learned. John W. Campbell statistics language trouble Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home. John W. Campbell writing-and-reading editors home Never accept the initial premise of the opposition. John W. Campbell initials assessment accepting We presuppose two things: that there is yet to be learned infinitely more than is now known, and that man can learn it. John W. Campbell learning men two History does not always repeat itself. Sometimes it just yells, 'Can't you remember anything I told you?' and lets fly with a club. John W. Campbell clubs doe remember Pioneering basically amounts to finding new and more horrible ways to die John W. Campbell findings horrible way Generally, a desirable, practically attainable idea, suggested in prophecy, has a chance of forcing itself into reality by its very existence. John W. Campbell chance reality ideas It was the law that if a white man was caught trying to educate a Negro slave, he was liable to prosecution entailing a fine of fifty dollars and a jail sentence. . . Our ignorance was the greatest hold the South had on us. We knew we could run away, but what then? John W. Campbell ignorance running men Immunity corrupts; absolute immunity corrupts absolutely. John W. Campbell immunity absolutes There's nothing quite so stultifying as having someone around who has all the answers-and gives them to you. John W. Campbell statistics answers giving Science is not a sacred cow-but there are a large number of would-be sacred cowherds busily devoting quantities of time, energy and effort to the task of making it one, so they can be sacred cowherds. John W. Campbell effort numbers science Man studied birds for centuries, trying to learn how to make a machine to fly like them. He never did do the trick; his final success came when he broke away entirely and tried new methods. John W. Campbell trying bird men Too darned good a machine can be a menace, not a help. John W. Campbell machines statistics helping
