If men were the automatons that behaviorists claim they are, the behaviorist psychologists could not have invented the amazing nonsense called 'behaviorist psychology.' Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes by Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes From Robert A. Heinlein Anyone who clings to the historically untrue-and thoroughly immoral-doctrine that, 'violence never settles anything' I would advise to conjure the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington and let them debate it. The ghost of Hitler could referee, and the jury might well be the Dodo, the Great Auk and the Passenger Pigeon. Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedom. Robert A. Heinlein never-settle issues thinking Those who refuse to support and defend the state have no claim to protection by that state. Killing an anarchist or a pacifist should not be considered "murder" in a legalistic sense. The offense against the state, if any, should be "Using deadly weapons within city limits," or "Creating a traffic hazard," or other misdemeanor. Robert A. Heinlein cities war peace The hardest part about gaining any new idea is sweeping out the false idea occupying that niche. As long as that niche is occupied, evidence and proof and logical demonstration get nowhere. But once the niche is emptied of the wrong idea that has been filling it:; once you can honestly say, "I don't know", then it becomes possible to get at the truth. Robert A. Heinlein niche long ideas Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal. Robert A. Heinlein rational animal men There is an old song which asserts 'the best things in life are free.' Not true! Utterly false! This was the tragic fallacy which brought on the decadence and collapse of the democracies of the twentieth century; those noble experiments failed because the people had been led to believe that they could simply vote for whatever they wanted...and get it without toil, without sweat, without tears. Nothing of value is free. Even the breath of life is purchased at birth only through gasping effort and pain. Robert A. Heinlein pain song believe A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark. Robert A. Heinlein chinese inspirational children No matter where or what, there are makers, takers, and fakers. Robert A. Heinlein psychology fake matter Reason is poor propaganda when opposed by the yammering, unceasing lies of shrewd and evil and self-serving men. Robert A. Heinlein self men lying Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done. Robert A. Heinlein impossible-things done science Most people can't think, most of the remainder won't think, and the small fraction who do think mostly can't do it very well. Robert A. Heinlein fractions people thinking Being right too soon is socially unacceptable. Robert A. Heinlein strategy politics political Whether the authorities be invaders or merely local tyrants, the effect of such [gun control] laws is to place the individual at the mercy of the state, unable to resist. Robert A. Heinlein tyrants gun law Butterflies are self propelled flowers. Robert A. Heinlein butterfly flower self Sex, whatever else it is, is an athletic skill. The more you practice, the more you can, the more you want to, the more you enjoy it, the less it tires you. Robert A. Heinlein skills practice sex Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group Robert A. Heinlein halos groups men Being privileged to work hard for long hours at something you think is worth doing is the best kind of play. Robert A. Heinlein hard-work play thinking Nothing of value is free. Even the breath of life is purchased at birth only through gasping effort and pain... The best things in life are beyond money; their price is agony and sweat and devotion... and the price demanded for the most precious of all things in life is life itself--ultimate cost for perfect value Robert A. Heinlein agony things-in-life pain Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow if tomorrow might improve the odds. Robert A. Heinlein delay understanding odds You do not truly own anything that you can't carry in both arms at a dead run Robert A. Heinlein arms running Touch is the most fundamental sense. A baby experiences it, all over, before he is born and long before he learns to use sight, hearing, or taste, and no human ever ceases to need it. Keep your children short on pocket money but long on hugs Robert A. Heinlein learning baby children
