Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinleinwas an American science-fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was an influential and controversial author of the genre in his time...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth7 July 1907
CountryUnited States of America
rude happiness-and-love duty
Learn to say No—and to be rude about it when necessary. Otherwise you will not have time to carry out your duty, or to do your own work, and certainly no time for love and happiness. The termites will nibble away your life and leave none of it for you.
men moral individual
In terms of morals there is no such thing as ‘state.’ Just men. Individuals. Each responsible for his own acts.
railroads
When railroading time comes you can railroad—but not before.
laughing so-sad humans
Death isn't funny." "Then why are there so many jokes about death? Jill, with us — us humans — death is so sad that we must laugh at it.
groups moral members
Under what circumstances is it moral for a group to do that which is not moral for a member of that group to do alone?
sex clothes doe
Darling, a true lady takes off her dignity with her clothes and does her whorish best. At other times you can be as modest and dignified as your persona requires.
psychosis neurosis sin
Most neuroses and some psychoses can be traced to the unnecessary and unhealthy habit of daily wallowing in the troubles and sins of five billion strangers.
honest truthful autobiography
Autobiography is usually honest but it is never truthful.
liars men wind
Once a man gets a reputation as a liar, he might as well be struck dumb, for people do not listen to the wind.
law moral-behavior survival
Morals — all correct moral laws — derive from the instinct to survive. Moral behavior is survival behavior above the individual level.
cute girl mean
But, do you know, once you get used to it's rather cute. I mean, if a girl looks alright to start with, she still looks alright with her head smooth.
latin simple english-grammar
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.
lying long wish
It's a long story. Want a refill?" "No, let's start the steak. Where's the button?" "Right here." "Well, push it." "Me? You offered to cook." "Ben Caxton, I will lie here and starve before I will get up to push a button six inches from your finger" "As you wish." He pressed the button. "But don't forget who cooked dinner.
way civilized tamed
There is no way that writers can be tamed and rendered civilized. Or even cured.