The other day, when I was researching quotes for ione of my previous posts, I found that a very high number of quotes regarding freedom, individualism and self-sufficiency came from an author named Robert Heinlein. You or I may disagree with some or all of them, but they certainly make you think. I'd like to share some of them with you:
Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded- here and there, now and then- are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.This is known as "bad luck.".
A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.
Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it.
No intelligent man has any respect for an unjust law.
Taxes are not levied for the benefit of the taxed.
There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him.
Being intelligent is not a felony. But most societies evaluate it as at least a misdemeanor.
It's amazing how much "mature wisdom" resembles being too tired.
Man can be chained, but he cannot be domesticated.
No matter where or what, there are makers, takers, and fakers.
But goodness alone is never enough. A hard cold wisdom is required, too, for goodness to accomplish good. Goodness without wisdom invariably accomplishes evil.
When any government, or church for that matter, undertakes to say to it's 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 motive.
A committee is a creature with three or more legs and no brain.
There comes a time in the life of every human when he or she must decide to risk "his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor" on an outcome dubious. Those who fail the challenge are merely overgrown children, and can never be anything else.
Anyone who clings to the historically untrue -- and -- thoroughly immoral doctrine that violence never solves anything I would advise to conjure up the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington and let them debate it. The ghost of Hitler would referee. Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor; and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms.
Never appeal to a man's 'better nature.' He may not have one. Invoking his self-interest gives you more leverage.
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.
In a mature society, 'civil servant' is sematically equal to 'civil master'.
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