Octavia Butler - Species Quotes

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We are a naturally hierarchical species. When I say these things in my novels, sure I make up the aliens and all of that, but I don't make up the essential human character, the way we are.

Octavia Butler

I'm not pessimistic about much of anything. No, I'm hopeful. The only problem that we human beings really suffer from, and this is important to us as a species, is that we tend to do the right thing when we get scared.

Octavia Butler

Intelligence is ongoing, individual adaptability. Adaptations that an intelligent species may make in a single generation, other species make over many generations of selective breeding and selective dying. Yet intelligence is demanding. If it is misdirected by accident or by intent, it can foster its own orgies of breeding and dying.

Octavia Butler

I don't understand why the sight of you should scare me so, Joseph said. He did not sound frightened. You don't look that threatening. Just... very different.
Different is threatening to most species, Nikanj answered. Different is dangerous. It might kill you. That was true to your animal ancestors and your nearest animal relatives. And it's true for you.

Octavia Butler