See what the world looks like from orbit. Well, in that way, at least, there was profit to be had. Nobody could look down at the planet, green and blue, with no borders in evidence and no sign of human habitation, and not get his perspective forever altered.

There is nothing that overwhelms the senses quite like an unwelcome silence.

If you're paying attention to your wardrobe, Rudy believed, your mind isn't sufficiently occupied.

Don't assume that a species is intelligent because it produces intelligent individuals.

There'd been studies over the years supporting the proposition that groups composed exclusively of women usually made intelligent decisions, that exclusively male groups did a bit less well, and that mixed groups did most poorly of all, by a substantial margin. It appeared that, when women were present, testosterone got the upper hand and men took greater risks than they might otherwise. Correspondingly, women in the mixed group tended to revert to roles, becoming more passive, and going along with whatever misjudgment the males might perpetrate.

If you want creative and successful children, resign yourself to jousting with rebels.

Talking with most people usually involves a search for truth. Talking with congressmen is strictly special effects.