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Quotes from Farnham's Freehold — Robert A. Heinlein

1907–1988 United States

← All quotes by Robert A. Heinlein

12 quotes

If a grasshopper tries to fight a lawnmower, one may admire his courage but not his judgment.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

No government has yet been able to repeal natural laws, though they keep trying.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

He tried to tell himself that no one is ever responsible for another person’s actions. He believed it, he tried to live by it. But he found that cold wisdom no comfort.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

“Mr. Farnham!” You think they are going to attack?”
Her host shrugged. “The Kremlin doesn’t let me in on its secrets.”

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

We have everything for a still; I stocked the items to build one if a war came along—not just for us but because liquor is money in any primitive society.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

The concept of change baffled them.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

We are all free—to walk our appointed paths. Just as a stone is free to fall when you toss it into the air. No one is free in the abstract meaning you give the word.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

“We’re going to die. Aren’t we?”
“Yes.”
“I thought so. Before morning?”
“Oh, no! I feel sure we can live till noon.”

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

“Why do you think this gossip is true?”
“Uh…I heard it and checked around. Everybody knows it.”
“So? Everybody knew the Earth was flat, at one time.”

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

Hugh shut up. He was thinking glumly that Ponse was not a villain. He was exactly like the members of every ruling class in history: honestly convinced of his benevolence and hurt if it was challenged.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

“It is impossible for anyone to be responsible for another person’s behavior. I spoke of myself as ‘responsible’ for this group, that was verbal shorthand. The most I can do—or you, or any leader—is to encourage each one to be responsible for himself.”

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

This matter of racial differences—or the nonsense notion of “racial equality”—had never been examined scientifically; there was too much emotion on both sides. No one wanted honest data….
Nevertheless, this confused matter of races would never be straightened out—because almost nobody wanted the truth.

Farnham's Freehold (1964)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Robert A. Heinlein (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.