Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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
Being right too soon is socially unacceptable.

Being right too soon is socially unacceptable.

Robert A. Heinlein
Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.

Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.

Robert A. Heinlein
In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.

In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.

Robert A. Heinlein
One man's theology is another man's belly laugh.

One man's theology is another man's belly laugh.

Robert A. Heinlein
A society that gets rid of all its troublemakers goes downhill.

A society that gets rid of all its troublemakers goes downhill.

Robert A. Heinlein
Delusions are often functional. A mother's opinions about her children's beauty, intelligence, goodness, et cetera ad nauseam, keep her from drowning them at birth.

Delusions are often functional. A mother's opinions about her children's beauty, intelligence, goodness, et cetera ad nauseam, keep her from drowning them at birth.

Robert A. Heinlein
Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes. Keep this in mind; it may offer a way to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate — and quickly.

Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes. Keep this in mind; it may offer a way to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate — and quickly.

Robert A. Heinlein
When one teaches, two learn.

When one teaches, two learn.

Robert A. Heinlein
Yield to temptation...it may not pass your way again!

Yield to temptation...it may not pass your way again!

Robert A. Heinlein
Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.

Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.

Robert A. Heinlein
Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.

Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.

Robert A. Heinlein
Belief gets in the way of learning.

Belief gets in the way of learning.

Robert A. Heinlein
Secrecy begets tyranny.

Secrecy begets tyranny.

Robert A. Heinlein
A generation which ignores history has no past — and no future.

A generation which ignores history has no past — and no future.

Robert A. Heinlein
Be wary of strong drink, it can make you shoot at the tax collector...and miss.

Be wary of strong drink, it can make you shoot at the tax collector...and miss.

Robert A. Heinlein
Men rarely if ever dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.

Men rarely if ever dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.

Robert A. Heinlein
The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.

The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.

Robert A. Heinlein
If you've got the truth you can demonstrate it. Talking doesn't prove it.

If you've got the truth you can demonstrate it. Talking doesn't prove it.

Robert A. Heinlein
I never do anything I don't want to do. Nor does anyone, but in my case I am always aware of it.

I never do anything I don't want to do. Nor does anyone, but in my case I am always aware of it.

Robert A. Heinlein
No woman ever ages beyond eighteen in her heart.

No woman ever ages beyond eighteen in her heart.

Robert A. Heinlein
Thinking doesn't pay. Just makes you discontented with what you see around you.

Thinking doesn't pay. Just makes you discontented with what you see around you.

Robert A. Heinlein
Some people insist that 'mediocre' is better than 'best.' They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly. They despise brains because they have none.

Some people insist that 'mediocre' is better than 'best.' They delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly. They despise brains because they have none.

Robert A. Heinlein
But goodness alone is never enough. A hard, cold wisdom is required for goodness to accomplish good. Goodness without wisdom always accomplishes evil.

But goodness alone is never enough. A hard, cold wisdom is required for goodness to accomplish good. Goodness without wisdom always accomplishes evil.

Robert A. Heinlein
Anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best, he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to wear his shoes, bathe, and not make messes in the house.

Anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best, he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to wear his shoes, bathe, and not make messes in the house.

Robert A. Heinlein
Live and learn, or you don't live long.

Live and learn, or you don't live long.

Robert A. Heinlein
Stupidity cannot be cured. Stupidity is the only universal capital crime; the sentence is death. There is no appeal, and execution is carried out automatically and without pity.

Stupidity cannot be cured. Stupidity is the only universal capital crime; the sentence is death. There is no appeal, and execution is carried out automatically and without pity.

Robert A. Heinlein
Take sides! Always take sides! You will sometimes be wrong - but the man who refuses to take sides must always be wrong.

Take sides! Always take sides! You will sometimes be wrong - but the man who refuses to take sides must always be wrong.

Robert A. Heinlein
Goodness without wisdom always accomplishes evil.

Goodness without wisdom always accomplishes evil.

Robert A. Heinlein
It is impossible for anyone to be responsible for another person's behavior. The most you or any leader can do is to encourage each one to be responsible for himself.

It is impossible for anyone to be responsible for another person's behavior. The most you or any leader can do is to encourage each one to be responsible for himself.

Robert A. Heinlein
The first principle of freedom is the right to go to hell in your own handbasket.

The first principle of freedom is the right to go to hell in your own handbasket.

Robert A. Heinlein
I know why we laugh. We laugh because it hurts, and it's the only thing to make it stop hurting.

I know why we laugh. We laugh because it hurts, and it's the only thing to make it stop hurting.

Robert A. Heinlein
There is no safety this side of the grave

There is no safety this side of the grave

Robert A. Heinlein
I do know that the slickest way to lie is to tell the right amount of truth--then shut up.

I do know that the slickest way to lie is to tell the right amount of truth--then shut up.

Robert A. Heinlein
Geniuses and supergeniuses always make their own rules about sex as on everything else; they do not accept the monkey customs of their lessers.

Geniuses and supergeniuses always make their own rules about sex as on everything else; they do not accept the monkey customs of their lessers.

Robert A. Heinlein
A woman is not property, and husbands who think otherwise are living in a dreamworld.

A woman is not property, and husbands who think otherwise are living in a dreamworld.

Robert A. Heinlein
One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.

One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.

Robert A. Heinlein
God created men to test the souls of women.

God created men to test the souls of women.

Robert A. Heinlein
Remember though, your best weapon is between your ears and under your scalp -provided it's loaded.

Remember though, your best weapon is between your ears and under your scalp -provided it's loaded.

Robert A. Heinlein
Butterflies are not insects,' Captain John Sterling said soberly. 'They are self-propelled flowers.

Butterflies are not insects,' Captain John Sterling said soberly. 'They are self-propelled flowers.

Robert A. Heinlein
I came, I saw, she conquered.

I came, I saw, she conquered." The original Latin seems to have been garbled.

Robert A. Heinlein
You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.

You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.

Robert A. Heinlein
Cheops' Law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.

Cheops' Law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.

Robert A. Heinlein
Democracy is a poor system of government at best; the only thing that can honestly be said in its favor is that it is eight times as good as any other method the human race has ever tried.

Democracy is a poor system of government at best; the only thing that can honestly be said in its favor is that it is eight times as good as any other method the human race has ever tried.

Robert A. Heinlein
Does history record any case in which the majority was right?

Does history record any case in which the majority was right?

Robert A. Heinlein
Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet you can't win.

Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet you can't win.

Robert A. Heinlein
I don't see why human people make such a heavy trip out of sex. It isn't anything complex, it is simply the best thing in life, even better than food.

I don't see why human people make such a heavy trip out of sex. It isn't anything complex, it is simply the best thing in life, even better than food.

Robert A. Heinlein
Never own more than you can carry in both hands at a dead run.

Never own more than you can carry in both hands at a dead run.

Robert A. Heinlein
Its very variety, subtlety, and utterly irrational, idiomatic complexity makes it possible to say things in English which simply cannot be said in any other language.

Its very variety, subtlety, and utterly irrational, idiomatic complexity makes it possible to say things in English which simply cannot be said in any other language.

Robert A. Heinlein
Ignorance is curable, stupid is forever.

Ignorance is curable, stupid is forever.

Robert A. Heinlein
Take big bites. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

Take big bites. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

Robert A. Heinlein
If a grasshopper tries to fight a lawnmower, one may admire his courage but not his judgement.

If a grasshopper tries to fight a lawnmower, one may admire his courage but not his judgement.

Robert A. Heinlein
A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits.

A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits.

Robert A. Heinlein
The slickest way in the world to lie is to tell the right amount of truth at the right time-and then shut up.

The slickest way in the world to lie is to tell the right amount of truth at the right time-and then shut up.

Robert A. Heinlein
Animals can be driven crazy by placing too many in too small a pen. Homo sapiens is the only animal that voluntarily does this to himself.

Animals can be driven crazy by placing too many in too small a pen. Homo sapiens is the only animal that voluntarily does this to himself.

Robert A. Heinlein
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.

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.

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

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

Robert A. Heinlein
He's an honest politician--he stays bought.

He's an honest politician--he stays bought.

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

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.

Robert A. Heinlein
Any group is weaker than a man alone unless they are perfectly trained to work together.

Any group is weaker than a man alone unless they are perfectly trained to work together.

Robert A. Heinlein
Don't explain computers to laymen. Simpler to explain sex to a virgin.

Don't explain computers to laymen. Simpler to explain sex to a virgin.

Robert A. Heinlein
My old man says when it's time to be counted, the important thing is to be man enough to stand up.

My old man says when it's time to be counted, the important thing is to be man enough to stand up.

Robert A. Heinlein
I'm always suspicious of disinterested interest.

I'm always suspicious of disinterested interest.

Robert A. Heinlein
Thou art god, I am god. All that groks is god.

Thou art god, I am god. All that groks is god.

Robert A. Heinlein
Taxes are not levied for the benefit of the taxed.

Taxes are not levied for the benefit of the taxed.

Robert A. Heinlein
No statement should be believed because it is made by an authority.

No statement should be believed because it is made by an authority.

Robert A. Heinlein
Never tease an old dog; he might have one bite left.

Never tease an old dog; he might have one bite left.

Robert A. Heinlein
Listen, son. Most women are damn fools and children. But they've got more range then we've got. The brave ones are braver, the good ones are better — and the vile ones are viler, for that matter.

Listen, son. Most women are damn fools and children. But they've got more range then we've got. The brave ones are braver, the good ones are better — and the vile ones are viler, for that matter.

Robert A. Heinlein
Sense is never common.

Sense is never common.

Robert A. Heinlein
Nothing uses up alcohol faster than political argument.

Nothing uses up alcohol faster than political argument.

Robert A. Heinlein
To permit irresponsible authority is to sell disaster.

To permit irresponsible authority is to sell disaster.

Robert A. Heinlein