“It's a beautiful thing, to my people who keep an impressive wingspan, even when the cubicle shrink.”

“She was--I keep using the past tense; I ought to say she is--one of those people who, at first sight, look plain, are quiet, unassertive, unmemorable even. But who, when they start to talk and you get to know them, become more and more attractive and impressive, and you see that in fact they are beautiful. Not conventionally beautiful, not celebrity beautiful, but beautiful all through.”

“Even when peaceful cooperation is the obvious thing, the only thing that will keep any of us alive- There are still people who won't make that choice.”

“My people are impressing on Tulwar's people the wisdom of surrender and a rapid shift of allegiance. I'm counting on most them being opportunist thugs who'll recognize a good thing when it's offered to them.”

“We keep a special place in our hearts for people who refuse to be impressed by us.”

“Writing is my own personal therapy. It's cheaper than a real shrink and I get to kill people off when I grow bored of them.”