The Last Refuge Of The Scoundrel

Patriotism, Samuel Johnson, April 7, 1775. When he said/wrote this – that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel – he was NOT condemning the love and willingness of a person to serve, and if need be die for, their country for its own sake, but rather a self-professed patriot. That is, the kind of person who is constantly doing everything to stand out as a lover and servant of their country, somewhat like the people who brag about their humility. If you're truly humble you don't need to advertise it.

And now to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away … yesterday I wrote about reading the latest Star Wars novel, Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn. Now the originator of the modern Star Wars literary renaissance (he wrote Heir to the Empire released in 1991, known to fans as the first book of the Thrawn trilogy) I don't think is the best writer who frequently patrons the Star Wars cantina – for that I would go with Troy Denning – but this book is so honkin' quotable I just have to share some!

http://www.amazon.com/Scoundrels-Star-Wars-Timothy-Zahn/dp/0345511506/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369333603&sr=1-1&keywords=star+wars+scoundrels

Page numbers are provided for the hardcover edition, David

“To cut something,” Han said, fighting back his impatience. This wasn't exactly the right time or place for this conversation. “I don't know what yet. But there's always something that needs cutting.” (36)

Young men of his age will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid being embarrassed. (42)

Discretion is the foundation of continued existence. (42)

Most of the crowds involved families with younglings, all of whom treated the miniature storms with a combination of amazement, delight, and solemnity that only very young children can pull off. (146)

But that's the great thing about slang. There are so many versions and varieties – in anyone's language – that you can never be sure that you can never be sure you've gotten all of it. Villachor can search the archives for the rest of the month without being able to prove I was bluffing. (178)

But he didn't have to know. Not yet. Courage wasn't a matter of taking the whole mountain in a single massive leap. Courage was taking it one step at a time, doing what was necessary now, preparing for the next step, and refusing to worry about whether some step in the future would be the one that would break him. (199)

Of course, anything's possible. It's in the execution where you get hung up. (210)

It had been said that there were only three absolutes in life: death, taxes, and bad liquor. But as Lando strolled across the Marblewood grounds, he decided he could add a fourth to the list. When you traveled with a Wookiee, people would move out of your way. (233)

Trust. That was indeed the duracrete foundation of every organization. Along with commitment, trust was what ultimately defined whether a group rose to victory or fell to destruction. (243)

People never notice how high ceilings are supposed to be. (311)