Death is not a tragedy to the one who dies; to have wasted the life before that death, that is the tragedy.

O my son Absalom,' Bean said softly, knowing for the first time the kind of anguish that could tear such words from a man’s mouth. 'my son, my son Absalom. Would God I could die for thee, O Absalom, my son. My sons!

We thought we were the only thinking beings in the universe, until we met you, but never did we dream that thought could arise from the lonely animals who cannot dream each other's dreams

I realized that everything important in sci-fi showed up in the magazines first. It's the proving ground for new writers and new ideas.

I wonder sometimes if the motivation for writers ought to be contempt, not admiration.

Faith doesn't mean you never doubt. It only means you never act upon your doubts.

Perhaps it's impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be.