Every age has its dreams, its symbols of romance. Past generations were moved by the graceful power of the great windjammers, by the distant whistle of locomotives pounding through the night, by the caravans leaving on the Golden Road to Samarkand, by quinqueremes of Nineveh from distant Ophir . . . Our grandchildren will likewise have their inspiration-among the equatorial stars. They will be able to look up at the night sky and watch the stately procession of the Ports of Earth-the strange new harbors where the ships of space make their planetfalls and their departures.

When I start on a book, I have been thinking about it and making occasional notes for some time... So I have lots of theme, locale, subjects and technical ideas... I don't worry about long periods of not doing anything. I know my subconscious is busy.

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

Absolutely no religious rites of any kind, relating to any religious faith, should be associated with my funeral.

The space elevator will be built about 50 years after everyone stops laughing.

Our own grandchildren may demonstrate that-sometimes- Gigantic is Beautiful.

Whether we are based on carbon or on silicon makes no fundamental difference we should each be treated with appropriate respect.