When I begin a book, I inevitably discover many things along the way, about the characters, their past histories and the political intrigues that surround them. This discovery process is vital, and I would not prejudice it by deciding too much in advance

Only people with full stomachs become environmentalists.

It is a paradox of Life that all species breed past mere replacement. Any paradise of plenty soon fills to become paradise no more.

Reciprocal accountability, or criticism [is] the only known antidote to error.

In all of history, we have found just one cure for error—a partial antidote against making and repeating grand, foolish mistakes, a remedy against self-deception. That antidote is criticism.

Where subtlety fails us we must simply make do with cream pies.

Self-awareness is probably overrated. A complex, self-regulating system doesn't need it in order to be successful, or even smart.