The practice of diplomacy, I have found, is sometimes like eating soup with a fork: much activity yielding little nourishment.

Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one's own opinions; nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality.

What do I have to say to the universe? A soul ought to have something to say to the universe if it's going to be immortal.

To me, fantasy has always been the genre of escape, science fiction the genre of ideas. So if you can escape and have a little idea as well, maybe you have some kind of a cross-breed between the two.

The sidesaddle was designed to protect a maiden's virginity, while risking the maiden's neck. Rather much for rather little, I thought.

The expression of divinity is in variety.

Science fiction still is an idea genre.

The only people who have the long view are some scientists and some science fiction writers.

All around the Mediterranean you'll find cultures that believe men can't control themselves and shouldn't have to try.

Other people's risks are statistical. When it's your risk, your own child, it isn't statistical anymore.

I'm not sure a world run by women would be any better. They're human beings!

Sometimes all you know about where you're going is that it's away from where you are.

The whole world is an art gallery when you're mindful. There are beautiful things everywhere and they're free.

Real speech can only come from complete silence. Incomplete silence is as fussy as deliberate conversation.

Plays have to be made, and we have to find a way to make them. All of us.

I want to be a soldier as my father was.

Most fishermen use the double haul to throw their casting mistakes further.

I'm seventeen and I'm crazy. My uncle says the two always go together. When people ask your age, he said, always say seventeen and insane.

You take the risk of being rejected. If you have pretentions to be an artist of any kind, you have to take the risk of people rejecting you and thinking you're an arsehole.

To show our simple skill, That is the true beginning of our end.

Man is driven to create; I know I really love to create things. And while I'm not good at painting, drawing, or music, I can write software.