I’ve watched human beings fool around with love. Love of self mostly, but also love of place, work, ideas; love of friends, of male and female, paren… - Edgar Pangborn

I wonder," said Abraham, "if I'd ever think I knew enough to act.
"If you don't, then study all your life and talk a little when you believe you have something to say."

And where is your guarantee against war in that, Miles?
"There can't be any except in human ethical maturity. A sensible political structure would help enormously, but there's going to be risk of war so long as men think they can justify hating strangers and grabbing for power. Human hearts and minds are basic—the rest is mechanics."

Namir would know all the uses of scandal and innuendo and half-truths. Strange weapons, so easy to take up, the stain indelible on user and victim.