Ivan

“The only desire the Culture could not satisfy from within itself was one common to both the descendants of its original human stock and the machines they had (at however great a remove) brought into being: the urge not to feel useless.”
― Iain M. Banks, Consider Phlebas

“Empathize with stupidity and you’re halfway to thinking like an idiot.”
― Iain M. Banks

“Common misconception that; that fun is relaxing. If it is, you’re not doing it right.”
― Iain M. Banks, The Player of Games

“Nothing is more important than that you see and love the beauty that is right in front of you, or else you will have no defense against the ugliness that will hem you in and come at you in so many ways.”
― Neal Stephenson, Anathem