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100 Robert A. Heinlein Quotes That Challenge Established Norms

Famous As: American Novelist Best Known as the 'Dean of Science Fiction Writers'
Born On: July 7, 1907
Died On: May 8, 1988
Born In: Butler, Missouri, United States
Died At Age: 80

Robert Anson Heinlein is aptly named as the 'Dean of Science fiction writer' because he commenced a new era of 'hard science fiction'. He's regarded as one of the most influential and controversial, but popular authors in America. His notable works like 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress', 'Stranger in a Strange Land', 'Time Enough for Love' and 'Starship Troopers' won critical attention and appreciation worldwide. Having read all the science fictions he could lay his hands on at the delicate age of 16, he mastered the art of fiction by the time he began his writing career. He was the first 'one-of-his-kind' authors to set high standards for engineering plausibility, science and literary quality. As a SF writer, he broke into mainstream magazines with 'The Saturday Evening Post'. He became the first author to pen down bestselling, novel-length fiction revolving around modern scientific society. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1929 and rose up to the rank of Ensign. He earned four Hugo awards for his novels, and the first Science Fiction Writer's Grand Master. Heinlein is credited with the discovery of 'speculative fiction', 'space marine', 'waldo' and 'grok'. He also introduced the first CAD with Drafting Dan. We have excerpted Robert A. Heinlein's most popular quotations from his writings and thoughts. Heinlein was an iconoclast, and questioned society's assumptions about sex, marriage, gender, politics, religion, race etc and that is very well reflected in his quotes. Presenting a selection of Robert A. Heinlein's most famous quotes.

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

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

Robert A. Heinlein
Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

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

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

Robert A. Heinlein
Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

Robert A. Heinlein
A prude is a person who thinks that his own rules of propriety are natural laws.

A prude is a person who thinks that his own rules of propriety are natural laws.

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

Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy.

Robert A. Heinlein
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.

Robert A. Heinlein
Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.

Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.

Robert A. Heinlein
You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.

You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.

Robert A. Heinlein
Never try to outstubborn a cat.

Never try to outstubborn a cat.

Robert A. Heinlein
There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

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.

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
Sex, whatever else it is, is an athletic skill. The more you practice, the more you can, the more you want to, the more you enjoy it, the less it tires you.

Sex, whatever else it is, is an athletic skill. The more you practice, the more you can, the more you want to, the more you enjoy it, the less it tires you.

Robert A. Heinlein
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.

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.

Robert A. Heinlein
Once a month, some women act like men act all the time.

Once a month, some women act like men act all the time.

Robert A. Heinlein
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.

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
Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other

Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other "sins" are invented nonsense.

Robert A. Heinlein
Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.

Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.

Robert A. Heinlein
Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

Robert A. Heinlein
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it.

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it.

Robert A. Heinlein
Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.

Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.

Robert A. Heinlein
Sex should be friendly. Otherwise stick to mechanical toys; it's more sanitary.

Sex should be friendly. Otherwise stick to mechanical toys; it's more sanitary.

Robert A. Heinlein
There is no such thing as

There is no such thing as "Just a cat.

Robert A. Heinlein
May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live.

May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live.

Robert A. Heinlein
There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men.

There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men.

Robert A. Heinlein
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

Robert A. Heinlein
A desire not to butt into other people's business is at least eighty percent of all human wisdom.

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

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

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

Robert A. Heinlein
Butterflies are self propelled flowers.

Butterflies are self propelled flowers.

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.

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