Reciprocal accountability, or criticism [is] the only known antidote to error.

You don't have conversations with microprocessors. You tell them what to do, then helplessly watch the disaster when they take you literally!

When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and the latter for everyone else.

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.

The village is coming back, like it or not.

In all of history, we have found just one cure for error—a partial antidote against making and repeating grand, foolish mistakes, a remedy against self-deception. That antidote is criticism.

Why must conversions always come so late? Why do people always apologize to corpses?

If you believe you can make a living as a writer, you already have enough ego.

The worst mistake of first contact, made throughout history by individuals on both sides of every new encounter, has been the unfortunate habit of making assumptions. It often proved fatal.

My first duty to write a gripping yarn. Second is to convey credible characters who make you feel what they feel. Only third comes the idea.

But honestly, if you do a rigorous survey of my work, I'll bet you'll find that biology is a theme far more often than physical science.

I've lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.

Systems and processes will always surpass motivation.

God bless the soldiers and seamen, with all their brave commanders.

Caffeine dehydrates the body and speeds up the aging of the skin and kidneys.

I like hanging around the set and learning how people do things, how the set runs.

Yesterday people were going past my window in t shirts and dresses. But that's the men at the BBC for you.

Even the greatest bringers of justice will only find salvation in surrneder

When I was young I longed to write a great novel that should win me fame. Now that I am getting old my first book is written to amuse children.

Lying on a feather mattress or quilt will not bring you renown.

The wise man is he who knows the relative value of things.