The Child Quotes

“The terms are strict and absolute; there may not even be a kind word spoken to the child.”

“Their tears at the bitter injustice dry when they begin to perceive the terrible justice of reality, and to accept it.”

“I will be good . . . Please let me out. I will be good!”

“They all know that it has to be there . . . they all understand that their happiness, the beauty of their city, the tenderness of their friendships, the health of their children, the wisdom of their scholars, the skill of their makers . . . depend wholly on this child’s abominable misery.”

“Those are the terms. To exchange all the goodness and grace of every life in Omelas for that single, small improvement: to throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one.”

“But as time goes on they begin to realize that even if the child could be released, it would not get much good of its freedom: a little vague pleasure of warmth and food, no doubt, but little more. It is too degraded and imbecile to know any real joy.”

“They would like to do something for the child. But there is nothing they can do.”