“I think if a story has a message it should be incidental and accidental, otherwise it leans too close to indoctrination.”

“Do I have any recommendations for a Sadiri boys' night out?" I shrugged, smiled, and allowed myself a laugh. "I can come up with something."I did, too. The Ministry of Culture has all kinds of programmes, and I got someone to put together a package that even the Sadiri might enjoy. But people, this is Cygnus Beta. Yes, we have a few large cities and several towns -- we're not all country bumpkins, vagabonds and adventurers -- but there are few professional artists and actors, few galactic-standard museums and theatres. We simply can't afford them.”

“I've always thought academics should get a little slurry on their boots from time to time.”

“I am experiencing a measure of excitement combined with increasing pleasure, which is perhaps manifesting as an expression of amusement."It was the first time he had ever used the scales to describe his emotions. "I love it when you talk dirty," I whispered ...”

“I find that sometimes if you just sit still, things have a way of finding you before you can find them.”

“Ever wonder if you've done the right thing?" I asked him finally."Frequently," he replied. "Legalities notwithstanding, to not wonder indicates a dangerous lack of awareness of the near-infinite array of choices presented by life. More tea?”

“Let me tell you, there's no long-distance relationship like an interstellar one.”