There are far too many people there for comfort. Birth control came late and is still being fought—if you can possibly imagine that. There are just t… - Harry Harrison

How large was mankind’s sense of obligation? The caveman first had this feeling for his mate, then for his family. It grew until men fought and died for the abstract ideas of cities and nations, then for whole planets. Would the time ever come when men might realize that the obligation should be to the largest and most encompassing reality of all—mankind? And beyond that to life of all kinds.

Their personal policy has become their planetary policy—and that’s never a very smart thing.

What about it, Meta? he snapped. No doubts? Do you think that destruction is the only way to end this war? I don't know, she said. I can't be sure. For the first time in my life I find myself with more than one answer to the same question. Congratulations, he said. It's a sign of growing up.