Quote: John Steakley

“He’s the best of us. The best of our best, the best that each of us will ever build or ever love. So pray for this Guardian of our growth and choose him well, for if he be not truly blessed, then our designs are surely frivolous and our future but a tragic waste of hope. Bless our best and adore for he doth bear our measure to the Cosmos.”

From Armor, one of the odder (and better) science fiction novels around. The quoted text is from, we are told, a coronation ceremony; one assumes that the “Guardian” (those who rule this world) are chosen for their . . . superlativity. In all ways.

This may not mean much if you don’t know anyone like this.