Naomi Mitchison quotes:

All forms of sexual loving become acceptable if the lovers wear togas or wolfskins.

... the fishermen of Port Sonas care only for the two things, fishing and women. And there's some that are no' that keen on the fishing.

the best committee's a committee of one!

The lesser evil is also evil.

does one ever say the same thing in the same way to two different people?

Good will, that curious product of consciousness, of leisure and energy to spare and share. That thing we put out against the forces of interest. That extra thing. Religions and nations and political parties have taken it and used it as coinage, have said you must only give it in exchange for value.

I read a lot of archaeology and early history in a general way, not thinking particularly of this book, and this provided me with the background. It showed me how, possibly, the people lived back then.

it's possible to go faster than folk are ready for; that's the key to democracy ...

Of course there were areas of safety; nothing could get at me if I curled up on my father's lap, holding his ear with one thumb tucked into it... All about him was safe.

there is nothing sorer to the spirit than falling below what one's lover thinks of one.