Part of the particular interest and beauty of science fiction and fantasy: writer and reader collaborate in world-making.

The machine conceals the machinations.

But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium. A wizard's power of Changing and Summoning can shake the balance of the world. It is dangerous, that power...It must follow knowledge, and serve need.

Hope is a slow business.

Crankish attacks on the freedom to read are common at present. When backed and coordinated by organized groups, they become sinister.

Little mirrors were attached to the front of their cars, at which they glanced to see where they had been; then they stared ahead again. I had thought that only beetles had this delusion of Progress.

To make a thief, make an owner; to create crime, create laws.