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Robert A. Heinlein Quotes - Page 12

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Once there was a race, quite unlike the human race - quite. I have no way of describing to you what they looked like or how they lived, but they had one characteristic you can understand: they were creative. The

Once there was a race, quite unlike the human race - quite. I have no way of describing to you what they looked like or how they lived, but they had one characteristic you can understand: they were creative. The creating and enjoying of works of art was their occupation and their reason for being.

Robert A. Heinlein
Art, Race, Creating

Democracy's worst fault is that its leaders are likely to reflect the faults and virtues of their constituents.

Robert A. Heinlein
Leader, Democracy, Faults
"Stranger in a Strange Land". Book by Robert A. Heinlein, p. 232, 1991.

My old man says when it's time to be counted, the important thing is to be man enough to stand up.

Robert A. Heinlein
Men, Volunteer, Important

There is an old, old story about a theologian who was asked to reconcile the Doctrine of Divine Mercy with the doctrine of infant damnation. 'The Almighty,' he explained, 'finds it necessary to do things in His official and public capacity which in His private and personal capacity He deplores.

Robert A. Heinlein
Religion, Damnation, Doctrine

Being generous is inborn; being altruistic is a learned perversity. No resemblance --

Robert A. Heinlein
Being Generous, Perversity, Generous
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.330, Penguin

Victory in defeat, there is none higher. She didn't give up, Ben; she's still trying to lift that stone after it has crushed her. She's a father working while cancer eats away his insides, to bring home one more pay check. She's a twelve-year-old trying to mother her brothers and sisters because mama had to go to Heaven. She's a switchboard operator sticking to her post while smoke chokes her and fire cuts off her escape. She's all the unsung heroes who couldn't make it but never quit.

Robert A. Heinlein
Mother, Brother, Giving Up
Robert A. Heinlein (1983). “Stranger in a Strange Land”, Berkley

A society that gets rid of all its troublemakers goes downhill.

Robert A. Heinlein
Life, Society, Trouble Maker
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.23, Penguin

Whores perform the same function as priests, but far more thoroughly.

Robert A. Heinlein
Religion, Priests, Function

Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to let you make your second shot perfect.

Robert A. Heinlein
Peace, War, Long
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.222, Penguin

War is not violence and killing, pure and simple; war is controlled violence, for a purpose. The purpose of war is to support your government's decisions by force. The purpose is never to kill the enemy just to be killing him but to make him do what you want him to do. Not killing... but controlled and purposeful violence.

Robert A. Heinlein
Peace, War, Simple
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Starship Troopers”, p.54, Penguin

Nowhere on Earth was sex so vigorously suppressed as in America--and nowhere else was there such a deep interest in it.

Robert A. Heinlein
Sex, America, Earth

I woke up in bed with a man and a cat. The man was a stranger; the cat was not

Robert A. Heinlein
Cat, Men, Bed
Robert A. Heinlein (1988). “To Sail Beyond the Sunset”

It's amazing how much 'mature wisdom' resembles being too tired.

Robert A. Heinlein
Wisdom, Tired, Mature
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.224, Penguin

I don't see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes.

Robert A. Heinlein
Articles, Clothings, Persons

Any priest or shaman must be presumed guilty until proved innocent.

Robert A. Heinlein
Guilty, Innocent, Priests
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.221, Penguin

Coffee comes in five descending stages: Coffee, Java, Jamoke, Joe, and Carbon Remover.

Robert A. Heinlein
Coffee, Java, Stage
Robert A. Heinlein (1982). “Glory Road”, Berkley

It is impossible for a man to love his wife whole heartedly without loving all women somewhat. I suppose that the converse must be true of women.

Robert A. Heinlein
Men, Wife, Impossible
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.330, Penguin

Anyone can see a forest fire. Skill lies in sniffing the first smoke.

Robert A. Heinlein
Lying, Fire, Skills
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.56, Penguin

The Earth is just too small and fragile a basket for the human race to keep all its eggs in.

Robert A. Heinlein
Race, Eggs, Space

God split himself into a myriad parts that he might have friends. This may not be true, but it sounds good, and is no sillier than any other theology.

Robert A. Heinlein
Religion, Sound, Splits
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.322, Penguin

Physicians had gone to their graves calling Pasteur a liar, a fool, or worse—without examining evidence which their “common sense” told them was impossible.

Robert A. Heinlein
Liars, Common Sense, Gone
"Stranger in a Strange Land".

One man's 'magic' is another man's engineering. 'Supernatural' is a null word.

Robert A. Heinlein
Men, Engineering, Usa
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.236, Penguin

Make money, lose money - who cares? The idea is to enjoy it.

Robert A. Heinlein
Money, Ideas, Care
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.257, Penguin

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Robert A. Heinlein
Writing, Hands, Ashamed
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.233, Penguin

Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation.

Robert A. Heinlein
Stupidity, Legislation
Robert A. Heinlein (1987). “Time Enough for Love”, p.230, Penguin

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