For each human being there is an optimum ratio between change and stasis. Too little change, he grows bored. Too little stability, he panics and loses his ability to adapt. One who marries six times in ten years won't change jobs. One who moves often to serve his company will maintain a stable marriage. A woman chained to one home and family may redecorate frantically or take a lover or go to many costume parties.

Fear is the brother of hate.

Psi and/or magical powers, if real, are nearly useless.

The perversity of the Universe tends towards a maximum.

How much intelligence does it take to sneak up on a leaf?

Anything you don't understand is dangerous until you do understand it.

Once every hundred years, the Los Angeles smog rolls away for a single night, leaving the air as clean as interstellar space. That way the gods can see if Los Angeles is still there. If it is, they roll the smog back so they won't have to look at it.