"In a sense. The people are dangerous, the planet is not."
"Would it be possible for a planet to spoil the people?"
Olbu seemed to digest the words in his mind before he spoke: "That is a rather weak effort to shift the blame from the shoulders of those responsible for a sad state of affairs, doctor. You are trying to say there is something in the air, or the water, that makes Earthmen what they are."
"No, I was hinting that there might be something wrong with your planet, Mr. Olbu."
"Nonsense! Nothing is wrong with my planet. My people would not be affected even if the air and water were bad. We, the children of Xvik, are the highest expression of the human race."
"It's easy to see that," said Dr. Bruber. "You were pointing out to me that Earth's pattern of existence doesn't offer much hope for the future."
"That is right," said Olbu. "Earth's future is not much to look forward to."
"But the planet is worth saving?"
"Definitely."
"Yet the people are a part of the planet."