Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Robert A. Heinlein Novelist

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: United States
  • Born: Jul 7, 1907
  • Died: May 8, 1988

Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was one of the most influential and controversial authors of the genre in his time. He set a standard for scientific and engineering plausibility, and helped to raise the genre's standards of literary quality.

He was one of the first science fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered to be the "Big Three" of science fiction authors.

A notable writer of science fiction short stories, Heinlein was one of a group of writers who came to prominence under the editorship of John W. Campbell, Jr. in his Astounding Science Fiction magazine—though Heinlein denied that Campbell influenced his writing to any great degree.

Sex without love is merely healthy exercise. love

An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. good, life & society

The universe never did make sense I suspect it was built on government contract. government

They didn't want it good, they wanted it Wednesday. good

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

It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. power & religion

By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity. good

I never learned from a man who agreed with me. learning

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

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity. power

A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity. jealousy

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

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

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