Its very variety, subtlety, and utterly irrational, idiomatic complexity makes it possible to say things in English which simply cannot be said in any other language. Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes by Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes From Robert A. Heinlein Nothing could go wrong because nothing had...I meant "nothing would." No - Then I quit trying to phrase it, realizing that if time travel ever became widespread, English grammar was going to have to add a whole new set of tenses to describe reflexive situations - conjugations that would make the French literary tenses and the Latin historical tenses look simple. Robert A. Heinlein simplelatinenglish-grammar The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere. Robert A. Heinlein crowded-placesspacemade Seems to be a deep instinct in human beings for making everything compulsory that isn't forbidden. Robert A. Heinlein forbiddenmistressinstinct Have you ever noticed how much they look like orchids? lovely! Robert A. Heinlein orchidslovelylooks The saddest thing about ephemerals was that their little lives rarely held time enough for love. Robert A. Heinlein littleslovelife From the strictest humanitarian viewpoint, any attempt to stop the processes by which over crowded cities purge themselves is not a kindness. Robert A. Heinlein citieskindnessamerica There is no safety this side of the grave Robert A. Heinlein stranger-in-a-strange-landsafetysides Hit it! You have to hit it harder than that. Electrons are timid little things but notional; you have to let them know who’s boss. Robert A. Heinlein bosslittle-thingslittles We learned not to waste ammo even on warriors except in self-protection Robert A. Heinlein warriorwasteself Gratitude is a euphemism for resentment. Robert A. Heinlein euphemismresentmentgratitude Why don't they make more science fiction movies? The answer to any question starting, Why don't they- is almost always, Money. Robert A. Heinlein astronomyanswersfiction The brown monkey's instinct to kill is correct; such men are dangerous to all monkey customs. Robert A. Heinlein monkeysmotivationalmen He never gave up his search for the Door into Summer. Robert A. Heinlein ambitionhopesummer Television leaves no external scars. Robert A. Heinlein scartelevision An invention is something that was "impossible" up to then that's why governments grant patents. Robert A. Heinlein patentsgovernmentimpossible Many short-sighted fools think that going to the Moon was just a stunt. But the astronauts knew the meaning of what they were doing, as is shown by Neil Armstrong's first words in stepping down onto the soil of Luna: "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Robert A. Heinlein moonmenthinking He had learned that close-held secrets could often be cracked by going all the way to the top and there making himself unbearably unpleasant. He knew that such twisting of the tiger's tail was dangerous, for he understood the psychopathology of great power. Robert A. Heinlein often-issecrettails In terms of morals there is no such thing as ‘state.’ Just men. Individuals. Each responsible for his own acts. Robert A. Heinlein individualmoralmen I believe in my neighbors. I know their faults and I know that their virtues far outweigh their faults. Robert A. Heinlein faultsvirtuebelieve An armed man need not fight. Robert A. Heinlein fightinggunmen
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