All true wealth is biological.

There is no more hollow feeling than to stand with your honor shattered at your feet while soaring public reputation wraps you in rewards. That's soul-destroying. The other way around is merely very, very irritating.

Whether you function as welders or inspectors, the laws of physics are implacable lie-detectors. You may fool men. You will never fool the metal.

Growing up, I have discovered over time, is rather like housework: never finished.

For me, writing is more a process of discovering the book than planning it.

Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart.

It was never what I wanted to buy that held my heart's hope. It was what I wanted to be.