Thursday, January 3, 2013

Thinking Thursday...!

 When I was younger, I read a lot of science fiction...and I mean a LOT!

One of my favorite writers was, and is, Robert Heinlein. Many of his thoughts, many of his stories are just as pertinent today as they ever were! I'm thing that maybe I should go back and re-read some of his work again! Guess it's true that good ideas never go out of style!

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

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.
Robert A. Heinlein

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
Robert A. Heinlein

Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.
Robert A. Heinlein

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

Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy.
Robert A. Heinlein

Sex without love is merely healthy exercise.
Robert A. Heinlein 

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

When a place gets crowded enough to require ID's, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

Don't ever become a pessimist... a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know, the end result is tyranny and oppression no matter how holy the motives. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

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

May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

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

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. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

I never learned from a man who agreed with me. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

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. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

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

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

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

Being right too soon is socially unacceptable.
Robert A. Heinlein 

Never insult anyone by accident. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

One man's "magic" is another man's engineering. "Supernatural" is a null word. 
Robert A. Heinlein 

Some of these thoughts are pretty good, don't you think? Maybe by just reading words already by someone else, we can better organize our own thoughts and plans of action. Guess you could say we are helping build our future by listening to our past!

Coffee in the kitchen this morning. I'm in the mood for some gravy bread and bacon. How about you?

19 comments:

West Tx at Heart said...

Where you come up with this stuff I don't know, but I know I look forward to it. Just when I thought you couldn't top the story of Sam Colt. You serve up this. It made for excellent morning coffee. Thanks for closing out my shift with a chuckle.

Anonymous said...

Some very deep thoughts there - thanks for posting them. I used to have a few of his books in my library (paperbacks), but I've lost touch with them over the years. Stranger in a Strange Land, and The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress were two of them.

Which are your favorite Heinlein books ?

Gorges Smythe said...

Wise words from a man who lived in his imagination!

Momlady said...

I think I may just have to "borrow" some of these.

Anonymous said...

Rather than pap and pablum, in the fifties I grew up in the foundation trilogy (pun intended) of Heinlein, Asmoiv, and Norton ... (and Harrison and some of the "oldies" like Verne and Wells, to name but a scant few of my plethora of favorites). And my stack of Classics Illustrated comics were my regular bedfellows long after Mom turned the lights out. To this day, I keep a small plaque as a tribute to Norton, with her words:

"Frontiers of any type, physical or mental, are but a challenge to our breed. Nothing can stop the questing of men, not even Man. If we will it, not only the wonders of space, but the very stars are ours!" — Andre Norton, The Stars are Ours —

Science fiction has been and remains our modern Cassandra, forever prophesying yet never believed.

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Good words to live by and really think about.
I'll bring the fresh eggs - cold here only 10 degrees outside.

Sixbears said...

I love Heinlein. Read his books all though my formitive years. That probably does not come as a surprise. Of course, I still reread his books. Good stuff.

No doubt he'll be banned sooner or later.

Randall / Tennessee said...

Charlie Manson was a huge fan of "Stranger" ,he named his son "Valentine Michael Manson" just a little oddity I thought I'd throw in. not to say..... : ) good post Jim!

Randall / Hillbilly Heaven said...

Meant for that to be an independent post, sorry mr ananmouse.

JO said...

These are great some better than others. Thank you great post.

I don't know what gravey bread is. ? But if your serving it I'll try it.

Mary Ann said...

How you love to provoke everyone before breakfast! (laughing)

HermitJim said...

Hey West Texas...
Always a pleasure to know that You enjoy some of the stuff I post here!

Making the day a little more interesting for the readers is what I'm all about!

I didn't know you lived here in Houston as well. Maybe someday we can get together and share a cup!

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Anon 5:07...
There are so many good ones to chose from, it's hard to name a favorite. I'd have to say that "A Stranger in a Strange Land" comes to mind, though!

I really do appreciate you coming over for a visit today!


Hey Gorges...
Makes you want to sit and talk to the man, doesn't it? Wonder what he would have to say about the state of the world today?

Thanks for linking to this post and also for coming by today!


Hey Momlady...
I'll bet that Mr. Heinlein wouldn't mind a bit! Glad you could find something here that would be of service!

Thanks for the visit today, my friend!


Hey Anon 7:13...
The fact is that daily we find so many of the writers that we once considered "science fiction" writers were, in fact, prophets instead!

Exciting times to see the creations of early imaginations become more commonplace!

Looks like Norton hit the nail on the head!

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Phyllis...
A lot of truth in some of these quotes, I think!

Fresh eggs sure rings my bell! Bring 'em on!

Thanks for coming by this morning!


Hey Sixbears...
I have to believe that books and writers are like old friends! They give us some joy and new insights every time we meet up again!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by this morning!


Hey Randall...
I had no idea about Manson! Learn something new every day, I reckon!

Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Jo...
Gravy bread is nothing more than a slice of bread (toasted or not), buttered and then topped with gravy! Sure makes for some good eating!

The reason for gravy bread is that I didn't make biscuits! Too lazy, I guess!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over this morning!


Hey Mary Ann...
Guess I would have to say "guilty" on giving folks something to think about with their coffee!

Don't want anyone to get bored first thing, ya know?

I sure appreciate you coming by this chilly morning!

Dizzy-Dick said...

As usual, a great post and I agree with most of his thoughts. It is good to see them written down.

Bob Mc said...

My all time favorite Si-Fi author back in my school days. I recently picked up a couple of his books to re-read. A man ahead of his time.

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

I may have read some Heinlein but I can't remember. I read a lot of sci fi. I will definitely check his books out. Thanks for sharing.

I had bacon, biscuits & gravy on New Years morning! mmmmmmm. I don't make it often since there is just me.

HermitJim said...

Hey Dizzy...
Sometimes seeing things written down instead of just hearing them can change the perception a bit.

I'm glad you liked it and glad you could drop in today!


Hey Bob...
Like most good writers in the world of science fiction, he was indeed ahead of his time!

Well worth re-reading, I think!

Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Lady Hawthorne...
Sometimes hard for folks to cook for just one. I have that same problem, living alone like you!

I'm certainly glad you could stop by today!

BBC said...

Never been much into fiction, reality is scary enough for me.

An armed society is a polite society.

Only if you are packing them in plain sight so others know that they should be good around you.

I'll return to look at the rest of the quotes in the morning, I've had a few beers.

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Unknown said...

Never insult anyone by accident.
Robert A. Heinlein

That one really made me laugh! I'd heard it before, but never knew who was responsible for the wit!