Quote

The test of intellect is the refusal to belabor the obvious.

Alfred Bester

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Alfred Bester
Age: 73 †
Born: 1913
Born: December 18
Died: 1987
Died: September 30
Author
Journalist
Novelist
Science Fiction Writer
Screenwriter
Writer
Manhattan borough
New York City
Intellect
Tests
Obvious
Refusal
Test

More quotes by Alfred Bester

Image
One of the things that everybody knows about space travel but never mentions is its aphrodisiac quality.
Alfred Bester
Image
The man who gives his own decisions priority over society is a criminal.
Alfred Bester
Image
This was an age of extremes, a fascinating century of freaks... but nobody loved it.
Alfred Bester
Image
If a man's got talent and guts to buck society, he's obviously above average. You want to hold on to him. You straighten him out and turn him into a plus value. Why throw him away? Do that enough and all you've got left are the sheep.
Alfred Bester
Image
No matter how we defend ourselves against the outside we're always licked by something from the inside. Ther's no defense against betrayal, and we all betray ourselves.
Alfred Bester
Image
Most science fiction, quite frankly, is silly nonsense.
Alfred Bester
Image
Don't ask the world to stop moving because you have doubts.
Alfred Bester
Image
That's me, he said, motioning to the robot. That's all of us. We prattle about free will, but we're nothing but response...mechanical reaction in prescribed grooves.
Alfred Bester
Image
Faith in faith' he answered himself. 'It isn't necessary to have something to believe in. It's only necessary to believe that somewhere there's something worthy of belief
Alfred Bester
Image
The damnable frustration of revenge. Revenge is for dreams...never for reality.
Alfred Bester
Image
I've handed life and death back to the people who do the living and the dying.
Alfred Bester
Image
Tenser, said the Tensor. Tension, apprehension, and dissension have begun.
Alfred Bester
Image
Life is a freak. That’s its hope and glory.
Alfred Bester
Image
You pigs, you. You rut like pigs, is all. You got the most in you, and you use the least. You hear me, you? Got a million in you and spend pennies. Got a genius in you and think crazies. Got a heart in you and feel empties. All a you. Every you.
Alfred Bester
Image
Be grateful that you only see the outward man. Be grateful that you never see the passions, the hatreds, the jealousies, the malice, the sicknesses... Be grateful you rarely see the frightening truth in people.
Alfred Bester
Image
Damn you! Dagenham raged, Don't you realize that you can't trust people? They don't know enough for their own good. Then let them learn or die. We're all in this together. Let's live or die together.
Alfred Bester
Image
The whole point of extravagance is to act like a fool and feel like a fool, but enjoy it.
Alfred Bester
Image
We always do what's natural, only sometimes we shouldn't do it.
Alfred Bester
Image
Eight, sir seven, sir Six, sir five, sir Four, sir Three, sir Two, sir one! Tenser, said the Tensor. Tenser, said the Tensor. Tension, apprehension, And dissension have begun.
Alfred Bester
Image
Intellect is the ability to avoid belaboring the obvious.
Alfred Bester