A die resting on a small green-and-cream checkered board, with a green pawn beside its edge.

Original artwork, not a still

Time Enough for Love • 1973

Robert Heinlein

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

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Heinlein admits the odds may be unfair, then refuses to treat that as a reason to sit out. Not playing guarantees you win nothing. It's a nudge toward taking a chance, even when the game is stacked.

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