Quotes from Robert A. Heinlein

It seems to me that the secret of true happiness in life is to know what you are and then be content to be that, in style, head up and proud, and not yearn to be something else.

Nothing gives life more zest that running for your life.

Nothing of value is free. Even the breath of life is purchased at birth only through gasping effort and pain.

Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there. Theologians can persuade themselves of anything.

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

Never worry about theory as long as the machinery does what it's supposed to do.

Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.

Most people who sneer at technology would starve to death if the engineering infrastructure were removed.

If God meant for people to fly, He would have given them brains.

But, if there ever was a time in history when "peace" meant that there was no fighting going on, I have been unable to find out about it.

History does not record anywhere or at any time a religion that has any rational basis.

Life is short, but the years are long.

Time is your total capital, and the minutes of your life are painfully few.

With eternity to draw on there could be no reason for hurrying - 'hurry' was not a concept in Martian.

Once upon a time there was a Martian named Valentine Michael Smith.

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

To get anywhere, or even to live a long time, a man has to guess, and guess right, over and over again, without enough data for a logical answer.

Premenstrual Syndrome: Just before their periods women behave the way men do all the time.

Was there ever a time when the majority was right?

Minimize your therbligs until it becomes automatic; this doubles your effective lifetime - and thereby gives time to enjoy butterflies and kittens and rainbows.

When railroading time comes you can railroad—but not before.

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

I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.

…majority rule gives the ruthless strong man plenty of elbow room to oppress his fellows.