So far, scientists have not uncovered any evidence that would hint that the workings of the Universe require the action of a divine being. On the oth… - Isaac Asimov

He felt that dull, heart-choking pain that feeds on itself, the pain of a wife no longer by his side at waking, of a familiar world lost…

Well, besides, I've arranged with the computer that anyone who doesn't look and sound like one of us will be killed if he — or she — tries to board the ship. I've taken the liberty of explaining that to the Port Commander. I told him very politely that I would love to turn off that particular facility out of deference to the reputation that the Sayshell City Spaceport holds for absolute integrity and security — throughout the Galaxy, I said — but the ship is a new model and I didn't know how to turn it off.
"He didn't believe that, surely."
"Of course not! But he had to pretend he did, as otherwise he would have had no choice but to be insulted. And since there would be nothing he could do about that, being insulted would only lead to humiliation. And since he didn't want that, the simplest path to follow was to believe what I said."
"And that's another example of how people are?"
"Yes. You'll get used to this."

Look heah, now, I've got the wuhks of all the old mastahs — the gweat ahchaeologists of the past. I wigh them against each othah — balance the disagweements — analyze the conflicting statements — decide which is pwobably cowwect — and come to a conclusion. That is the scientific method. At least" — patronizingly — "as I see it.