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R. A. Lafferty Biography

Raphael Aloysius Lafferty (November 7, 1914 – March 18, 2002) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer known for his original use of language, metaphor, and narrative structure, as well as for his etymological wit. He also wrote a set of four autobiographical novels, In a Green Tree; a history book, The Fall of Rome; and several novels of historical fiction.

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R. A. Lafferty Quotes

I write as clearly as I am able to. I sometimes tackle ideas and notions that are relatively complex, and it is very difficult to be sure that I am conveying them in the best way. Anyone who goes beyond cliche phrases and cliche ideas will have this trouble.

Complex, Difficult, Ideas, Phrases, Relatively, Writing

There is a secret society of seven men that controls the finances of the world. This is known to everyone but the details are not known. There are some who believe that it would be better if one of those seven men were a financier.

Believe, Controls, Details, Men, Secret

An excess of science will leave none of us alive.

Alive, Excess, Leave, Science

True love is that we should hate whatever interferes with our vision of the high and the lowly.

Hate, Love, Love Is, Lowly, Vision

Learn the true topography; the monstrous and wonderful archetypes are not inside you, not inside your consciousness; you are inside them, trapped and howling to get out

Archetypes, Consciousness, Howling, Learn, Learning, Topography

The opposite of liberal is stingy. The opposite of radical is superficial. The opposite of conservative is destructive. So I declare that I am a radical conservative liberal. Beware of men who use words to mean their opposites.

Beware, Mean, Men, Opposites, Superficial, Words

We must kill the Devil afresh every day.

Afresh, Day, Devil, Kill

Do not be deceived by the way men of bad faith misuse words and names …Things are set up as contraries that are not even in the same category. Listen to me: the opposite of radical is superficial, the opposite of liberal is stingy; the opposite of conservative is destructive. Thus I will describe myself as a radical conservative liberal; but certain of the tainted red fish will swear that there can be no such fish as that. Beware of those who use words to mean their opposites. At the same time have pity on them, for usually this trick is their only stock in trade.

Deceived, Mean, Men, Names, Superficial, Use

Though my short stories are the more readable, my novels do have more to say; and they will, if anyone has the patience for it, repay a rereading.

Rereading, Stories, Novel, Novels, Though

The lowest common denominator of the universe is both low and common.

Common, Denominator, Low, Lowest, Lows

The good stories, of course, write themselves. And somebody wants to know who are the really good writers, and how many of them there are. There aren't any. Most of the writers are likeable frauds. Some are unlikable frauds.

Good, Know, Stories, Want, Writers, Writing

Every science is made up entirely of anomalies rearranged to fit.

Anomalies, Fit, Science

The best time to write a story is yesterday. The next best time is today.

Stories, Story, Time, Today, Writing, Yesterday

The law of levity is allowed to supersede the law of gravity.

Humor, Law, Gravity, Allowed, Levity

When you have shot and killed a man you have in some measure clarified your attitude toward him. You have given a definite answer to a definite problem. For better or worse you have acted decisively. In a way, the next move is up to him.

Acted, Attitude, Humorous, Moving, Way, Worse

When we travel we find how greatly our boyhood dreams are outstripped by reality.

Boyhood, Dream, Greatly, Outstripped, Reality

Death is for a long time. Those of shallow thought say that it is forever. There is, at least, a long night of it. There is the forgetfulness and the loss of identity. The spirit, even as the body, is unstrung and burst and scattered. One goes down to death, and it leaves a mark on one forever.

Death, Long, Loss, Mark, Night, Unstrung

Strangers may not lodge complaints till they have been in residence here for ninety days," the Cacique said, "and no stranger has ever remained with us that long. " "My complaint won't hold for ninety days. I accuse you people of eating men.

Cacique, Lodge, Long, Men, People, Remained