Robert Heinlein — People

A red and black chess knight next to a cracked walnut on a dark surface. — Original artwork

A brute kills for pleasure. A fool kills from hate.

Robert Heinlein

A hollow ceramic bowl stands on mismatched wooden chair legs on a lavender floor against mustard. — Original artwork

A committee is a lifeform with six or more legs and no brain.

Robert Heinlein

A brass compass stands beside a green beetle ornament on a coiled wire and dark cloth. — Original artwork

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

Robert Heinlein

A fake fortune teller can be tolerated. But an authentic soothsayer should be shot on sight. Cassandra did not get half the kicking around she deserved.

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

Always tell her she is beautiful, especially if she is not.

Robert Heinlein

A small gray felt mouse wearing oversized paper elephant ears, standing on folded blue paper. — Original artwork

An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors, and miss.

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

Round rose-tinted glasses rest on a floral plate over a folded cloth, with a leafy sprig beside them. — Original artwork

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

Robert Heinlein

Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to let you make your second shot perfect.

Robert Heinlein

Little girls, like butterflies, need no excuse.

Robert Heinlein

Money is a powerful aphrodisiac. But flowers work almost as well.

Robert Heinlein

Never try to out stubborn a cat.

Robert Heinlein

Painterly tipped metal container spilling green peas across a worn wooden table. — Original artwork

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

Green lace-up boots beside a folded dark coat and a small brass lantern on a dark wooden floor. — Original artwork

Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark.

Robert Heinlein

The more you love, the more you can love and the more intensely you love. Nor is there any limit on how many you can love. If a person had time enough, he could love all of that majority who are decent and just.

Robert Heinlein

An open doorway stands among small rocks in calm purple water, with a paper boat in front and pale light beyond. — Original artwork

There is no conclusive evidence of life after death. But there is no evidence of any sort against it. Soon enough you will know. So why fret about it?

Robert Heinlein

A small wooden windmill leans in dry grass beneath a cloudy grey sky. — Original artwork

Tilting at windmills hurts you more than the windmills.

Robert Heinlein

When the ship lifts, all bills are paid. No regrets.

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

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

Robert Heinlein

You live and learn. Or you don’t live long.

Robert Heinlein

Painterly black chess king beside a tilted white chess piece on a grey-blue board. — Original artwork

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 Heinlein