Memorable Quotes from Fritz Leiber
3 quotesInquiry into the Existence of Microorganisms
Dr. Charbonnet
You remember a few years ago, he was the cause of a slight controversy on the subject of sour wine.
[about Pasteur]
Napoleon III
Oh, yes, I recall.
Dr. Charbonnet
He claimed to have found little animals in it... infinitesimal beasts.
Napoleon III
But are there such creatures? Do they really exist?
Dr. Charbonnet
Your Majesty, microscopic organisms have long been observed. They spring into being of their own accord wherever there is putrid matter or fermentation. They are the result rather than the cause of disease. By heating wine to certain temperature, Monsieur Pasteur was able to destroy them. I presume he plans to cure blood poisoning in the same manner: namely, by boiling our blood.
Napoleon III
Heaven forbid.
Dr. Charbonnet
It's not unlikely, I assure you.
Napoleon III
But I won't have it, Charbonnet. I won't tolerate such practices. We're not living in the Middle Ages. This is France... Paris... the nineteenth century.
Empress Eugenie
I think Monsieur Pasteur should be allowed to defend himself.
Dr. Charbonnet
But, your Majesty...
Empress Eugenie
I, too, have read the pamphlet, Doctor Charbonnet. It said nothing about boiling blood - merely to boil the instruments that you surgeons use.
Dr. Charbonnet
Your Majesty, if I did anything so absurd as to boil my instruments or scrub my hands, they'd think I was a witch doctor resorting to charms and laugh me out of the hospital.
Empress Eugenie
That would be a novelty, Monsieur. Most people who go to hospitals are CARRIED out... dead.
Napoleon III
Yes, Cahrbonnet. Why?
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The Complexity of Life and Happiness
Dr. Valonius
He was a man trying to lead a simple, happy life. He found out life was neither simple nor happy.
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The Battle Against Invisible Microbes
Dr. Louis Pasteur
Sire, the hospitals of Paris are pesthouses. There's scarcely a doctor in the city who's not carrying death on his hands and instruments.
[speaking to the Emperor]
Dr. Charbonnet
Because of microbes, Monsieur? Your private menagerie of invisible beasts?
Dr. Louis Pasteur
Exactly. Doctor Charbonnet could see them for himself if he took the trouble to use his microscope. He could watch them multiply into murderous millions. They breed in filth. They may start from the gutters of Paris tonight and by tomorrow claim some mother from this very court.
Dr. Charbonnet
Preposterous! To think that a human being could be destroyed by an animal ten thousand times smaller than a flea. It's as though an army of ants were to overthrow your Majesty's empire.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.