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Portrait of Robert A. Heinlein

Robert A. Heinlein

(1907–1988) Essayist United States

888 quotes in 2507 categories

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Robert A. Heinlein was an essayist from the United States, best known for Stranger in a Strange Land.

Quick Facts About Robert A. Heinlein

Born: July 7, 1907
Died: May 8, 1988
Nationality: United States
Profession: Essayist
Notable works: Stranger in a Strange Land
Known for: Double Star, Have Space Suit—Will Travel, The Puppet Masters, Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land
Spouse: Virginia Heinlein

About Robert A. Heinlein

Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science‑fiction writer, engineer and former naval officer. He is often called the "dean of science‑fiction writers" and was a pioneer of hard science‑fiction because he stressed scientific accuracy in his stories. His books praise competence and encourage critical thinking, and many of his plots put characters in provocative situations that question social norms. Heinlein’s work has left a lasting influence on the science‑fiction genre and on modern culture.

Awards & Honors

Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award Inkpot Award Prometheus Award - Hall of Fame Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel Retro Hugo Award for Best Novella Retro Hugo Award for Best Novelette Hugo Award for Best Novel

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Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel

Quotes by Robert A. Heinlein · Page 18

It's amazing how much 'mature wisdom' resembles being too tired.

Robert A. Heinlein

Inspirational

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If you do not believe that a man will commit murder for one can of tomatoes, then you have never been hungry.

Robert A. Heinlein

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In a family argument, if it turns out you are right, apologize at once.

Robert A. Heinlein

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Self awareness is NOT just a bunch of amino acids bumping together.

Robert A. Heinlein

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“The drive for power is even less logical than the sex urge . . . and stronger.”

Robert A. Heinlein

Motivation

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How you behave toward cats here below determines your status in Heaven.

Robert A. Heinlein

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“It comes from exercising care in the choice of parents.”

Robert A. Heinlein

Child

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The right to figure things out for yourself is the only true freedom everyone shares. Go use it.

Robert A. Heinlein

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“...the word 'love' designates a subjective condition in which the welfare and happiness of another person are essential to one's own happiness.”

Robert A. Heinlein

Happiness

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“She might say: “This mess will clear up if you take that troublemaker there — What’s your name? You, with the goatee…

Robert A. Heinlein

Heinlein

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“A desire not to butt into other people's business is at least eighty percent of all human 'wisdom'...and the other twenty percent…

Robert A. Heinlein

Human wisdom

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Cast me into a dungeon, burn me at the stake, crown me king of kings, I can 'pursue happiness' as long as…

Robert A. Heinlein

Brain

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There are perhaps 5% of the population that simply can't think. There are another 5% who can, and do. The remaining 90%…

Robert A. Heinlein

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A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of…

Robert A. Heinlein

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Random chance was not a sufficient explanation of the Universe---in fact, random chance was not sufficient to explain random chance; the pot…

Robert A. Heinlein

Chance

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There is solemn satisfaction in doing the best you can for eight billion people. Perhaps their lives have no cosmic significance, but…

Robert A. Heinlein

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At least once every human should have to run for his life, to teach him that milk does not come from supermarkets,…

Robert A. Heinlein

Agility

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There are hidden contradictions in the minds of people who "love Nature" while deploring the "artificialities" with which "Man has spoiled Nature.'"…

Robert A. Heinlein

Animal

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He had learned that close-held secrets could often be cracked by going all the way to the top and there making himself…

Robert A. Heinlein

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“My dear, religion is a null area in the law. A church can do anything any organization can do—and has no restrictions.…

Robert A. Heinlein

Religion

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But does Man have any 'right' to spread through the universe? Man is what he is, a wild animal with the will…

Robert A. Heinlein

Ability

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I would say that my position is not too far from that of Ayn Rand's; that I would like to see government…

Robert A. Heinlein

Armed forces

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“She taught me to love by loving me, and I learned—rather slowly; I wasn’t too good a pupil, being set in my…

Robert A. Heinlein

Happiness

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“Mike did not seem to grasp the idea of Creation itself. Well, Jubal wasn't sure that he did, either--he had long ago…

Robert A. Heinlein

Creation

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When it don’t rain, the roof don’t leak; when it rains, I can’t fix it nohow.

Robert A. Heinlein

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His was not a small mind bothered by logic and consistency.

Robert A. Heinlein

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Happiness consists in getting enough sleep. Just that, nothing more.

Robert A. Heinlein

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'Savage' describes a cultural condition, not a degree of intelligence.

Robert A. Heinlein

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Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark.

Robert A. Heinlein

Clothes

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The death rate is the same for us as for anybody ... one person, one death, sooner or later.

Robert A. Heinlein

Death

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Humoring them costs nothing and adds to happiness in a world in which happiness is always in short supply.

Robert A. Heinlein

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“Is this Paradise?' 'I can guarantee you that it isn't,' Jubal assured him. 'My taxes are due this week.”

Robert A. Heinlein

Paradise

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If you don't like yourself, you can't like other people. -- Lazarus Long.

Robert A. Heinlein

Lazarus

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Seems to be a deep instinct in human beings for making everything compulsory that isn't forbidden.

Robert A. Heinlein

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The purpose of war is to support your government's decisions by force.

Robert A. Heinlein

Decision

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Another ingredient in a happy marriage: Budget the luxuries first!

Robert A. Heinlein

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Nothing gives life more zest that running for your life.

Robert A. Heinlein

Giving

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Courage is the complement of fear. A man who is fearless cannot be courageous. [He is also a fool.]

Robert A. Heinlein

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I don't trust a man who talks about ethics when he is picking my pocket. But if he is acting in his…

Robert A. Heinlein

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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…

Robert A. Heinlein

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Robert A. Heinlein by topic

Men (96) People (54) Inspirational (48) Time (46) Religion (43) Humans (40) Politics (39) Love (38) Life (37) Money (28) Freedom (27) Psychology (26) Thinking (25) Science (24) Self (22)