You're in bad shape when your emotions force you into acts which you know are foolish. Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes by Robert A. Heinlein More Quotes From Robert A. Heinlein I wanted the feeling of romance and the sense of wonder I had known as a kid. I wanted the world to be what they had promised me it was going to be - instead of the tawdry, lousy fouled-up mess it is. Robert A. Heinlein romance feelings kids Long human words (the longer the better) were easy, unmistakable, and rarely changed their meanings . . . but short words were slippery, unpredictable, changing their meanings without any pattern. Robert A. Heinlein patterns easy long At one time kings were anointed by Deity, so the problem was to see to it that Deity chose the right candidate. In this age the myth is "the will of the people" ... but the problem changes only superficially. Robert A. Heinlein kings age people Selfishness is the bedrock on which all moral behavior starts and it can be immoral only when it conflicts with a higher moral imperative. Robert A. Heinlein moral-behavior selfishness conflict Analogy is even slipperier than logic. Robert A. Heinlein logic analogies People usually believe anything that they are told early and often. Robert A. Heinlein believe people Ability is a wonderful thing, but its value is greatly enhanced by dependability. Ability implies repeatability and accountability. Robert A. Heinlein dependability accountability wonderful Work is not an end in itself; there must always be time enough for love. Robert A. Heinlein enough love romantic Always tell her she is beautiful, especially if she is not. Robert A. Heinlein beautiful beauty sex How can I possibly put a new idea into your heads, if I do not first remove your delusions? Robert A. Heinlein delusion ideas firsts Most women are damn fools and children. But they've got more range than we've got. The brave ones are braver, the good ones are better - and the vile ones are viler, for that matter. Robert A. Heinlein brave matter children As it says in Bible, God fights on side of heaviest artillery. Robert A. Heinlein artillery fighting sides Money is a powerful aphrodisiac but flowers work almost as well. Robert A. Heinlein aphrodisiac powerful flower Luck is a tag given by the mediocre to account for the accomplishments of genius. Robert A. Heinlein tag accomplishment luck You live and learn. Or you don't live long. Robert A. Heinlein learning live-and-learn long Some people insist that "mediocre" is better than "best." They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly. They despise brains because they have none. Robert A. Heinlein brain wings people I never do anything I don't want to do. Nor does anyone, but in my case I am always aware of it. Robert A. Heinlein stranger-in-a-strange-land doe want There ought not to be anything in the whole universe that man can't poke his nose into-that's the way we're built and I assume that there's some reason for that. Robert A. Heinlein noses men science Circumstances can force your hand. So think ahead! Robert A. Heinlein disaster hands thinking "I've found out why people laugh. They laugh because it hurts so much... because it's the only thing that'll make it stop hurting" ... "But that's not all people laugh at." "Isn't it? Perhaps I don't grok all its fullness yet. But find me something that really makes you laugh sweetheart... a joke, or anything else- but something that gave you a a real belly laugh, not a smile. Then we'll see if there isn't a wrongness wasn't there." He thought. "I grok when apes learn to laugh, they'll be people." Robert A. Heinlein real hurt people
