Quotes by Jack Vance

"Good music always defeats bad luck."

"What are your fees?" inquired Guyal cautiously. "I respond to three questions," stated the augur. "For twenty terces I phrase the answer in clear and actionable language; for ten I use the language of cant, which occasionally admits of ambiguity; for five, I speak a parable which you must interpret as you will; and for one terce, I babble in an unknown tongue."

"Notice this rent in my garment; I am at a loss to explain its presence! I am even more puzzled by the existence of the universe."