The total amount of suffering per year in the natural world is beyond all decent contemplation. During the minute that it takes me to compose this sentence, thousands of animals are being eaten alive, many others are running for their lives, whimpering with fear, others are slowly being devoured from within by rasping parasites, thousands of all kinds are dying of starvation, thirst, and disease.

在建立帝国的过程中，难免会树敌。

Don't give in to your fears... If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.

我不能也不愿生活在谨慎的世界里，至少作为作家不行。我向你保证，我宁愿如此——那样生活会更容易。但不幸的是，谨慎不适合小说家。