Civilization will reach maturity only when it learns to value diversity of character and of ideas.

A well-stocked mind is safe from boredom.

Any smoothly functioning technology will have the appearance of magic.

Religion is a byproduct of fear.

But please remember: this is only a work of fiction. The truth, as always, will be far stranger.

Deep beneath the surface of the Sun, enormous forces were gathering. At any moment, the energies of a million hydrogen bombs might burst forth in the awesome explosion.... Climbing at millions of miles per hour, an invisible fireball many times the size of Earth would leap from the Sun and head out across space.

As his body became more and more defenseless, so his means of offense became steadily more frightful.