Chen-Wei Cheong

“The universe is a dark forest. Every civilization is an armed hunter stalking through the trees like a ghost, gently pushing aside branches that block the path and trying to tread without sound. Even breathing is done with care. The hunter has to be careful, because everywhere in the forest are stealthy hunters like him. If he finds other life—another hunter, an angel or a demon, a delicate infant or a tottering old man, a fairy or a demigod—there’s only one thing he can do: open fire and eliminate them. In this forest, hell is other people. An eternal threat that any life that exposes its own existence will be swiftly wiped out. This is the picture of cosmic civilization. It’s the explanation for the Fermi Paradox.”
― Liu Cixin, The Dark Forest

“Thrawn shrugged. "There are two ways to destroy a person, Jorj. Kill him, or ruin his reputation.”
― Timothy Zahn, Star Wars: Choices of One

“History is on the move, Captain. Those who cannot keep up will be left behind, to watch from a distance.”
― Timothy Zahn, The Last Command

“Failure to act always brings consequences. But sometimes, those consequences can be turned to one’s advantage.”
― Timothy Zahn, Star Wars: Thrawn