The Left Hand of Darkness (Hainish Cycle, #4)

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Science fiction is not predictive; it is descriptive. Predictions are uttered by prophets (free of charge), by clairvoyants (who usually charge a fee, and are therefore more honored in their day than prophets), and by futurologists (salaried). Prediction is the business of prophets, clairvoyants, and futurologists. It is not the business of novelists. A novelist’s business is lying.

when action grows unprofitable, gather information; when information grows unprofitable, sleep.

The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next.”

He was one of those who are damned to love once.

To learn which questions are unanswerable, and not to answer them: this skill is most needful in times of stress and darkness.

It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.