The Galaxy, and the Ground Within (Wayfarers, #4)

by Becky Chambers

He did not see the need to flex one’s frills over being able to do something that every species in the GC had taught their machines to do centuries prior.

But theft is a long, proud tradition for many museums, so that decision’s up to you.’

There was no law that was just in every situation, no blanket rule that could apply to everyone, no explanation that accounted for every component. This did not mean that laws and rules were not helpful, or that explanations should not be sought, but rather that there should be no fear in changing them as needed, for nothing in the universe ever held still.

The only proper way to approach such inequities was to figure out how best to wield them, so as to bring others up to where you stood.

Life was just a bunch of tiny steps, one after another, each a conclusion that lead to a dozen questions more.