Beware of altruism. It is based on self-deception, the root of all evil. Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes by Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes From Robert A. Heinlein A committee is a life form with six or more legs and no brain. Robert A. Heinlein legs six brain Son, the phrase is self-contradictory; "sense" is never "common". Robert A. Heinlein common-sense self son Humans hardly ever learn from the experience of others. They learn - when they do, which isn't often - on their own, the hard way. Robert A. Heinlein creativity experience learning The mind's ability to rationalize it's own shortcomings is unlimited; I am no exception. Robert A. Heinlein ability unlimited mind Never worry about theory as long as the machinery does what it's supposed to do. Robert A. Heinlein technology worry science I have never been able to see life as anything but a vast complicated practical joke, and it's better to laugh than cry. Robert A. Heinlein able complicated laughing A family reunion is an effective form of birth control. Robert A. Heinlein family-reunion genealogy birth-control Almost everything about a human creature is ridiculous, except its ability to suffer bravely and die gallantly for whatever it loves and believes in. The validity of that belief, the appropriateness of that love, is irrelevant; it is the bravery and the gallantry that count. Robert A. Heinlein bravery love-is believe If we blow ourselves up we will do it by misapplication of science; if we manage to keep from blowing ourselves up, it will be through intelligent application of science. Robert A. Heinlein application intelligent blow A great artist can look at an old woman, portray her exactly as she is ... and force the viewer to see the pretty girl she used to be ... more than that, he can make anyone with the sensitivity of an armadillo see that this lovely young girl is still alive Robert A. Heinlein lovely girl artist I was there to see beautiful naked women. So was everybody else. It's a common failing. Robert A. Heinlein naked common beautiful Gentlemen, let's go row! Robert A. Heinlein rowing gentleman A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits. Robert A. Heinlein poetry may art When I don’t understand, I have an unbearable itch to know why. Robert A. Heinlein unbearable knows From somewhere, back in my youth, heard Prof say, 'Manuel, when faced with a problem you do not understand, do any part of it you do understand, then look at it again.' He had been teaching me something he himself did not understand very well—something in math—but had taught me something far more important, a basic principle. Robert A. Heinlein important teaching math I would say that my position is not too far from that of Ayn Rand's; that I would like to see government reduced to no more than internal police and courts, external armed forces - with the other matters handled otherwise. I'm sick of the way government sticks its nose in everything, now. Robert A. Heinlein police sick government When he kisses you he isn't doing anything else. You're his whole universe, and the moment is eternal because he doesn't have any plans and isn't going anywhere. Just kissing you ... it's overwhelming. Robert A. Heinlein stolen-kisses kissing moments It's better to copulate than not. Robert A. Heinlein By the data to date, there is only one animal in the Galaxy dangerous to man -- man himself. So he must supply his own indispensable competition. He has no enemy to help him. Robert A. Heinlein animal men life Anything free costs twice as much in the long run or turns out worthless. Robert A. Heinlein cost running long