Only a sadistic scoundrel-or a fool-tells the bald truth on social occasions. Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes by Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes From Robert A. Heinlein Ninety percent of all human wisdom is the ability to mind your own business. Robert A. Heinlein ninety mind-your-own-business wisdom Happiness consists in getting enough sleep. Just that, nothing more. Robert A. Heinlein enough-sleep enough sleep When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know, the end result is tyranny and oppression no matter how holy the motives. Robert A. Heinlein government church atheist Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks. Robert A. Heinlein excess flavor inspirational May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live. Robert A. Heinlein anniversary love long If you happen to be one of the fretful minority who can do creative work, never force an idea; you'll abort it if you do. Be patient and you'll give birth to it when the time is ripe. Learn to wait. Robert A. Heinlein creative giving ideas You can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him. Robert A. Heinlein propaganda conquer men There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him. Robert A. Heinlein political men thinking Every general prohibition creates its bootleggers. Robert A. Heinlein prohibition The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire. Robert A. Heinlein race desire people Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again. Robert A. Heinlein yield wisdom philosophy Gratitude: An imaginary emotion that rewards an imaginary behavior, altruism. Both imaginaries are false faces for selfishness, which is a real and honest emotion. Robert A. Heinlein selfishness gratitude real A woman is not property, and husbands who think otherwise are living in a dreamworld. Robert A. Heinlein marriage husband thinking Figure out for yourself what you want to be really good at, know that you'll never really satisfy yourself that you've made it, and accept that that's okay. Robert A. Heinlein existential accepting want There comes a time in the life of every human when he or she must decide to risk ‘his life, his fortune and his sacred honor’ on an outcome dubious. Those who fail the challenge are merely overgrown children, can never be anything else. Robert A. Heinlein choices challenges children The police of a state should never be stronger or better armed than the citizenry. An armed citizenry, willing to fight, is the foundation of civil freedom. That's a personal evaluation, of course. Robert A. Heinlein stronger police fighting There has grown up in the minds of certain groups in this country the notion that because a man or corporation has made a profit out of the public for a number of years, the government and the courts are charged with the duty of guaranteeing such profit in the future, even in the face of changing circumstances and contrary public interest. This strange doctrine is not supported by statute nor common law. Neither individuals nor corporations have any right to come into court and ask that the clock of history be stopped, or turned back... Robert A. Heinlein law men country Never pick up a stray kitten . . . unless you've already made up your mind to be owned by it. Robert A. Heinlein kitten made mind You're in bad shape when your emotions force you into acts which you know are foolish. Robert A. Heinlein emotion shapes foolish I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. Robert A. Heinlein mistress being-free freedom
