You do what you have to do to give people closure; it makes them feel better and it doesn't cost you much to do it. I'd rather apologize for something I didn't really care about and leave someone on Earth wishing me well.

About John Scalzi

Portrait of John Scalzi

John Michael Scalzi II (born May 10, 1969) is an American science fiction author and former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He is best known for his Old Man's War series which won the Hugo Award for Best Series, and for his blog Whatever, where...

More quotations from John Scalzi

If the universe is bigger and stranger than I can imagine, it's best to meet it with an empty bladder.

I didn't mind getting old when I was young. It's the being old now that's getting to me.

Nearly all marriages, even happy ones, are mistakes: in the sense that almost certainly (in a more perfect world, or even with a little more care in this very imperfect one) both partners might be found more suitable mates. But the real soul-mate is the one you are actually married to.

mistakes happiness marriage soul-mate

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.

life death pleasant peaceful

History

19 Nov 2025 Added