No trilogy should have more than four books.

Until we get rid of religion, we won't be able to conduct the search for God.

This is the first age that's ever paid much attention to the future, which is a little ironic since we may not have one.

Space can be mapped and crossed and occupied without definable limit; but it can never be conquered.

Then he [The Star Child] waited, marshaling his thoughts and brooding over his still untested powers. For though he was master of the world, he was not quite sure what to do next. But he would think of something.

Any smoothly functioning technology will have the appearance of magic.

In my life I have found two things of priceless worth - learning and loving. Nothing else - not fame, not power, not achievement for its own sake - can possible have the same lasting value. For when your life is over, if you can say 'I have learned' and 'I have loved,' you will also be able to say 'I have been happy.