J.Z. Colby

“The world has many places that can make us uncomfortable. Calling them evil, or any other bad name, doesn’t make them go away.”

“The universe is so arranged that the power to destroy the climate or the ecosystem of your home planet only comes when you also have the wisdom to know that doing so is a fatal mistake. Therefore, any species that does that is suicidal, and will probably not qualify for any kind of help, from the powers of the universe, with fixing that error.”

“I come from a place where everyone has great power, by your standards, and they steadfastly refuse to use it for self-aggrandizement ... anywhere ... ever.”

“I don't think Tera is capable of working with you by her own choice, no matter how much grass you pull for her, no matter how much you brush her. I think she's more like ... a three or four-year-old child, and you are her mother. Mothers must be firm with their children, sometimes make them do what needs to be done, sometimes even punish them.”

“On a ship, knowing when to be silent is just as important as knowing when to speak.”

“I'm just a girl trying to learn where to put my feet ... and where not to.”