the Mule

If a strong man can lift five hundred pounds, it does not mean that he is eager to do so continuously.

• Foundation and Empire
  • p. 339 ("The Foundation Trilogy", Easton Press, 2003)

The human mind works at low efficiency. Twenty percent is the figure usually given. When, momentarily, there is a flash of greater power it is termed a hunch, or insight, or intuition.

• Foundation and Empire
  • p. 340 ("The Foundation Trilogy", Easton Press, 2003)

"Ebling Mis said [the Second Foundation] kept itself secret. Only secrecy can turn its weakness to strength."

"Secrecy as deep as this is past possibility without nonexistence as well."

The Mule looked up, large eyes sharp and wary ."No. It does exist."

• Second Foundation
  • p. 358 ("The Foundation Trilogy", Easton Press, 2003)

The human mind resents control. The ordinary human hypnotist cannot hypnotize a person against his will for that reason.

• Second Foundation
  • p. 359 ("The Foundation Trilogy", Easton Press, 2003)

Their loyalty is left intact, but initiative and ingenuity are rubbed out. I'm left with a perfectly normal person, apparently, but one completely useless.

• Second Foundation
  • p. 362 ("The Foundation Trilogy", Easton Press, 2003)

Your despair is pretense. Your fear is not the broad overwhelming that adheres to the destruction of an ideal, but the puny seeping fear of personal destruction.

• Second Foundation
  • p. 396 ("The Foundation Trilogy", Easton Press, 2003)