The Star Beast Quotes

“The commonest weakness of our race is our ability to rationalize our most selfish purposes.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“The entire universe, Mr. Under Secretary, is wildly unlikely to the point of ridiculousness. Therefore, we of Rargyll know that God is a humorist”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Boss, the only thing that bothers me is insomnia during working hours. I can’t sleep at my desk the way I used to.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“To assume without knowledge, to reason by analogy, to take the unknown for granted, all meant to invite disaster.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“What else can I do?” “I do not know. But there are situations in which courage is useless.” “Possibly. I’ve never found one yet.” “One finds such a situation but once.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Myra Holtz was an operative for BuSec of DepSpace, and concealed her policewoman profession under a pleasant facade.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Hostages,’” Mr. Kiku said primly, “is a word that no diplomat should ever use.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Mr. Kiku smiled grimly. “Madam, the commonest weakness of our race is our ability to rationalize our most selfish purposes.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Mr. Kiku, I lost my husband to space; I won’t let my son go the same way. I intend to see to it that he stays and lives on Earth.” He shook his head sadly. “Mrs. Stuart, sons are lost from the beginning.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“He will study some sound profession—the law, probably.” Mr. Kiku’s brows went up. “Please, Mrs. Stuart,” he said plaintively. “Not that. I am a lawyer—he might wind up where I am.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“There are so many swell places for a man to keep his mouth shut.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Mac, there is nothing a newspaper man despises more than headline hunger. There is something lascivious and disgusting about a man overanxious to see his name in headlines.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“In the science of diplomacy appeasement has long been an exploded theory.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“The Hroshii come in six assorted sexes. You can call Lummox either ‘him’ or ‘her’ . . . we really need new words.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Tell them that free men may die, but they are never bullied.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Everything ought to be turned upside down occasionally; it lets in air and light.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Johnnie, there is a little town in Georgia named Adrian. It’s too small to have a regular safety force, just a constable. Do you happen to know that constable’s name?” “Huh? Of course not.” “Too bad. For as near as I was able to find out, that constable is the only cop who isn’t looking for you, which is why I rallied around—even though you, you dirty name, ran off without bothering to alert me.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“He remembered uneasily someone saying what a blessing it was cats did not have hands . . . well, Lummie had more curiosity than any cat.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“So now he rigged out his guardian eye, closed his others and shifted control over to the secondary brain back in his rump.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Johnnie, I’d rather see you loyal to your friends than with your chest decked out in medals.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“We’ve had some bitter words and I’m sorry they were ever spoken . . . I’m sure you did not mean them.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“my next step is to settle all the damage. I’ll carry cash, enough to do it . . . cash has a convincing effect.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“Assuming that an e.-t. is stupid because he can’t speak our language well is like assuming that an Italian is illiterate because he speaks broken English”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“What mail-order law school did you attend?” “Harvard,” Greenberg answered sullenly. “Hmm . . . Well, I shouldn’t be too harsh on you; you’re handicapped.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“other persons suffered silently the countless forms of quiet desperation which can close in on a man, or woman, for reasons of money, family, health, or face.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast

“he’s only a little boy!” “He’s a man, Mrs. Stuart. Younger men have died in battle.” “Is that what you think makes a man?” “I know of no better gauge.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, The Star Beast