Quotes From "Ancillary Justice" By Ann Leckie

1
In the nineteen years since then, I had learned eleven languages and 713 songs. I had found ways to conceal what I was–even, I was fairly sure, from the Lord of the Radch herself. I had worked as a cook, a janitor, a pilot. I had settled on a plan of action. I had joined a religious order, and made a great deal of money. In all that time I only killed a dozen people. Ann Leckie
2
The single word that directs a person’s fate and ultimately the fates of those she comes in contact with is of course a common subject of entertainments and moralizing stories, but if everyone were to consider all the possible consequences of all one’s possible choices, no one would move a millimeter, or even dare to breathe for fear of the ultimate results. Ann Leckie
3
Good necessitates evil. Ann Leckie
4
Ships have feelings. Ann Leckie
5
If that’s what you’re willing to do for someone you hate, what would you do for someone you love? Ann Leckie
6
Do you still think Mianaai controls the Radchaai through brainwashing or threats of execution? Those are there, they exist, yes, but most Radchaai, like people most places I have been, do what they’re supposed to because they believe it’s the right thing to do. No one likes killing people.” Strigan made a sardonic noise "No one?"" Not many, " I amended. "Not enough to fill the Radch's warships". Ann Leckie
7
You never knelt to get anywhere. You are where you are because you're fucking capable, and willing to risk everything to do right, and I'll never be half what you are even if I tried my whole life, and I was walking around thinking I was better than you, even half dead and no use to anyone, because my family is old, because I was born better. Ann Leckie
8
When you grow up knowing that you deserve to be on top, that the lesser houses exist to serve your house’s glorious destiny, you take such things for granted. You’re born assuming that someone else is paying the cost of your life. It’s just the way things are. What happens during annexation–it’s a difference of degree, not a difference of kind. Ann Leckie
9
Without feelings insignificant decisions become excruciating attempts to compare endless arrays of inconsequential things. It's just easier to handle those with emotions. Ann Leckie
10
The problem is knowing when what you are about to do will make a difference. I’m not only speaking of the small actions that, cumulatively, over time, or in great numbers, alter the course of events in ways too chaotic or subtle to trace. . if everyone were to consider all the possible consequences of all one’s possible choices, no one would move a millimetre, or even dare to breathe for fear of the ultimate results. Ann Leckie
11
Unity, I thought, implies the possibility of disunity. Beginnings imply and require endings. Ann Leckie
12
...if anyone who speaks up to criticise something obviously evil is punished merely for speaking, civilisation will be in a bad way. Ann Leckie
13
The gender thing is a giveaway, though. Only a Radchaai would misgender people the way you do." I'd guessed wrong. "I can't see under your clothes. And even if I could, that's not always a reliable indicator. Ann Leckie
14
Good necessitates evil and the two sides of that disk are not always clearly marked. Ann Leckie
15
Libraries are a tremendous and valuable resource, and I'm note sure it's possible to have too many of them. Ann Leckie