Chapter 9, “Elucidation by a Spacer” (p. 91)
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“Logically, developing children are carefully screened for physical and mental defects before being allowed to mature.”
Baley interrupted. “You mean you kill them if they don’t—”
“If they don’t measure up. Quite painlessly, I assure you. The notion shocks you, just as the Earthman’s uncontrolled breeding shocks us.”
— Isaac Asimov
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "“Logically, developing children are carefully screened for physical and mental defects before being allowed to mature.”
Baley interrupted. “You mean you kill them if they don’t—”
“If they don’t measure up. Quite painlessly, I assure you. The notion shocks you, just as the Earthman’s uncontrolled breeding shocks us.”" in the context of "Chapter 9, “Elucidation by a Spacer” (p. 91)" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Isaac Asimov" (Quotes, Robot series (1950-1985), The Caves of Steel (1954): Numerous editions. All page numbers here are from the omnibus hardcover book club edition published by Doubleday )
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov (c. 2 January 1920 – 6 April 1992) was a Russian-born American biochemist who was a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction, his works include the Foundation series and I, Robot.
About Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov (c. 2 January 1920 – 6 April 1992) was a Russian-born American biochemist who was a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction, his works include the Foundation series and I, Robot.
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