That’s how the universe keeps going, arii. It makes itself new in every generation that discovers it for the first time.

Our choices shape our lives, and until we die we can make new ones.

You cannot be mother, therapist and healer-assist to six children and expect perfection,” Jahir said. “Of course I can,” she answered. She snorted. “I’m a nurse. It’s what we do.

Amusing a woman too much is as good as courting her, and as much as I enjoyed her company I wasn’t quite sure I was ready for more than that.

That to make something, one must feel something,” Jahir said. “That there is no creation without a motive force. And that such forces should be positive, or the results become twisted and strange. Which would suggest that love creates the universe, or should.

Eastern spirits are made from rice and their hangovers are apologetic while stabbing you in the kidneys,” Eagles replied affably. “What you want, western man, are southern spirits. These will do you the courtesy of smashing you in the face as you drink them, rather than tricking you into thinking them mild and harmless.

The Chatcaava consumed themselves and others with their savagery, and the Eldritch dwindled into elegant irrelevance... and ignored by them both, save when it suited them, the Pelted labored on, creating these minor miracles out of spare parts and sheer ingenuity. What had the Emperor said once? The creed of your Alliance: we are born weak, therefore let us make strength from bits of metal and philosophy.

Books are like people. They can be beautiful on the outside and it’s wonderful when they are, but what counts is the inside. And the inside of a book can be communicated in a dozen different ways, and cheaply enough that everyone can have access. And everyone should.

So long as there is breath in me, I will serve life – serve life – serve life.

He wondered if all camaraderie was actually dimly sensed psychic connection.