His vices were the vices of his time and culture, but his virtues transcended the milieu of his life.

If you asked me to marry you all over again today I'd say yes, said Valentine. And if I had only met you for the first time today, I'd ask.

The danger that keeps me just a little frightened with every book I write, however, is that I'll overreach myself once too often and try to write a story that I'm just plain not talented or skilful enough to write. That's the dilemma every storyteller faces. It is painful to fail. But it is far sadder when a storyteller stops wanting to try.

None of us could be happy for long, doing nothing.

Your ego-depletion seems problematically difficult to assuage.

It's easy to manipulate your children when they're absolutely sure you're stupid.

I love you Ender. More than ever. No matter what you decide.