Faith has its price. When misfortune strikes the true believer, he assumes he has done something to deserve punishment, but isn't quite certain what. The realist, recognizing that he lives in a Darwinian universe, is simply grateful to have made it to another sunset.

The measure of a civilization is in the courage, not of its soldiers, but of its bystanders.

The cultures we can look at had already grasped the essential unity of nature. No board of gods can survive that knowledge.

Life is a walk in the fog. Most people don't know that. They're fooled by the sunlight into thinking they can see what's ahead. But it's the reason they are forever getting lost or falling into ditches or committing matrimony.

But, come to think of it, there was no need to wait. Time travelers don't have to wait for anybody.

What would happen is that people like Geroge and Alyx would grow old and die chasing a dream. Although there were probably worse things to do with one's life.

If you want data to survive, carve it in rock.