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Some of the greatest wisdom I have ever found: Robert Heinlein

Posted by $ nickursis 8 years, 1 month ago to Culture
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Here is some of the best quotes that hit me as so clear, and common sense I could never quite see how people did not read and heed:

OK, folks, time for some of Robert Heinleins greatest observations:

“A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Friday

“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, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

“You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.”
― 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 attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

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

And the best:
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

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    Posted by $ Starwagen 8 years, 1 month ago
    For the cumulative wisdom of a man who has lived for 2,000 years Google "The Notebooks of Lazarus Long" by Heinlein. Includes most of the above plus a lot more 'wisdom'. And for those that have not read it "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" can be considered "Atlas Shrugged" via Cliff Notes :)
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  • Posted by brucejc04 8 years, 1 month ago
    Years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Heinlein at an Arizona Libertarian party meeting. He was a real gentleman. Don't forget his 2nd Amendment quote. "An armed society is a polite society."
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  • Posted by slfisher 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes. He was pro-choice, anti-drug, mostly pro gay though there's some anti-gay stuff in Stranger, and pro-nontraditional relationships in general.
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, There was 969 or so on the web site I found, and each of them was a pearl of wisdom, then as well as today.
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, I would also say it did delineate the responsibilities of government, the abilities of people to work around those when they fail, and the fact there are no "do-overs" once you have lost your moral authority. A lesson our current day leaders would do well to learn. Neither party has moral authority any more, which means they are doomed if enough people begin to figure it out.
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  • Posted by Ed75 8 years, 1 month ago
    Time Enough for Love is one of Heinlein's most interesting novels. It also contains "The Notebooks of Lazarus Long" where in he produces a whole series of memorable quotes.
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  • Posted by $ johnrobert2 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    TMIAHM also dealt with political and social mores, in line with ST, but more to do with forms and motivations of government itself in relationship with the governed..
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    Heinlein wrote not only easy to read, enjoyable Sci Fi, he mixed in poltical and social commentary as well. Starship Troopers dealt with why you are a citizen, and what are your responsibilities, and privleges, Lazarus Long stories dealt with social relations including many variations on sex. He took a lott of heat for just showing that people were locked into a tight "approved" thought process only. I think both Heinlein and Rand tried to help people think their way through all the smoke and mirrors.
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  • Posted by Itheliving 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    Been a line time since I read Heinlein. He talked about Randites. I believe TANSTAAFL is from Stranger in a Strange Land.
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    Well, I didn't really think that was a saying, it is more of a philosophy, way of life, but OK, I'm easy. I use it a lot for the youngsters who seem to think that the government should give them everything, and that Bernie is really a good guy for offering all this free stuff....

    "TANSTAAFL"!
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 8 years, 1 month ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, I wonder if Heinlein was just a reincarnation of Twain, he had the same gift, there is a library of 969 Heinlein sayings on line, I just grabbed the ones that I remember from the books right off the top....
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  • Posted by Dobrien 8 years, 1 month ago
    Those are great.... this isn't from Heinlein but I always liked this one from Mark Twain "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."
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