Quotable quotes

Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded- here and there, now and then- are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty. This is known as "bad luck." — Robert A. Heinlein


Secrecy is the beginning of tyranny.— Robert A. Heinlein


The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.— Robert A. Heinlein


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


You can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him.— Robert A. Heinlein


Love your country, but never trust its government.— Robert A. Heinlein


Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire. — Robert A. Heinlein


I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. — Robert A. Heinlein


Never underestimate the power of human stupidity. — Robert A. Heinlein


Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay -- and claims a halo for his dishonesty.— Robert A. Heinlein


Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy— Robert A. Heinlein


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. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.— Robert A. Heinlein


Never insult anyone by accident.— Robert A. Heinlein


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


An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.— Robert A. Heinlein


A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.— Robert A. Heinlein


Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.— Robert A. Heinlein


I've read every one of his books multiple times. Heinlein never fails to educate, entertain and amuse.