The warrior may fight for gold or for an immediate gain, or for something to take home for the winter to feed the family. The soldier is part of a more complex society. He's fighting for a group ethic of some sort.

Jane leaned back against the counter and stared at the ceiling. At the traditional location of God, no matter what the planet.

It is perfectly okay to write garbage – as long as you edit brilliantly.

Deal with the Devil if the Devil has a constituency - and don't complain about the heat.

Average people didn't analyze what they thought: they thought they thought, and half of it was gut reaction.

Trade isn't about goods. Trade is about information. Goods sit in the warehouse until information moves them.

Culture is how biology responds and makes its living conditions better.