Men are said to desire women, Severian. Why do they despise the women they obtain?

We have treatments for disturbed persons, Nicholas. But, at least for the time being, we have no treatment for disturbing persons.

Do not start a story unless you have an ending in mind. You can change the story's ending if you wish, but you should always have a destination.

A hundred wise men have said in various ways that love transcends the power of death, and millions of fools have supposed that they meant nothing by it. At this late hour in my life I have learned what they meant. They meant that love transcends death. They are correct.

Religion and science have always been matters of faith in something. It is the same something.

My definition of good literature is that which can be read by an educated reader, and reread with increased pleasure.

Have a short story feature two situations, and then let them solve each other.