Invisibility is a condition of godhead. If folk could see them, they would know the truth, and the Lords Protector would cease to be divine. - Leigh Brackett

But for today, yesterday, tomorrow, it is not important. Time goes on without any of us. Only a belief, a state of mind, endures, and even that changes constantly, but underneath there are two main kinds—the one that says, Here you must stop knowing, and the other which says, Learn.
Right or wrong, the fruit was eaten, and there can’t ever be a going back.
I have made my choice.

I thought they knew," Len said. "I thought they were sure of it."
"Research isn't done that way."
"But how can they spend all that time, and maybe that much more again, if they know it might be all for nothing?"
"Because how would they know if they didn't try? And because there isn't any other way to do it.

Stark said wearily, “I don’t think you understand.” Normally he was tolerant of tribal fancies, but he felt no great tenderness for the Outdwellers. “The stars are already defiled. They’re only suns, like that one over your head. They have worlds around them, like this one under your feet. People live on those worlds, people who never heard of Outdwellers or their footling goddess. And the starships fly between them. It’s all going on out there, this second as you stand here, and nothing you can do will stop it.”