Why are we wondering why the world wishes itself dead when we are doing nothing to heal it? - Sheri S. Tepper

What you've just said is totally unorthodox, Colonel Doctor. If I didn't know better, I'd think you'd been touched by Scientism!"
"Ah. Scientism. One of the heresies. How would you define Scientism, Captain?"
"A heretical belief that men once did the things you've mentioned through their own efforts, without angelic assistance. The Dicta teaches us that our ancestors depended upon angels for their power, just as we will when we rediscover The Art.

I think... girls have a hard time being interesting. It’s actually easier to be famous, or notorious, than it is to be interesting. In our world, girls climb very well until they hit puberty-sexual maturity-and then they begin to fall out of the tree. They start role-playing instead of thinking, flirting instead of learning. They start admiring how smart the boys are-or how athletic or how handsome-instead of concentrating on their own intelligence.

"Show yourselves," cried Stephon. "Only cowards hide in the dark."
"Cowards do many things," said the voice. "Cowards kill their Commanders and make it look like a bandit attack. Cowards plot in secret. Cowards breed insurrection. Cowards plan the abuse of women."