To [the government] it didn't matter what happened to the American people as long as america in the abstract was kept strong. - Isaac Asimov

Indeed, it may well be argued that one reason for the decline in science, art, and literature was the increasing absorption of the better minds into a new sort of intellectual pursuit – theology.

A planet might deteriorate even if human beings existed upon it, if the society were itself abnormal and did not understand the importance of preserving the environment." "Surely," said Pelorat, "such a society would quickly be destroyed. I don't think it would be possible for human beings to fail to understand the importance of retaining the very factors that are keeping them alive.

You're a Lousy dame, lady," said Raych.
"I'm a Lousy dame with a quick knife, Raych, so get moving.