QuoteProject
Anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best, he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to wear his shoes, bathe, and not make messes in the house.
Robert A. Heinlein
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Mathematics is essential for fully developing human intellect and capabilities.

This quote by Robert A. Heinlein emphasizes the importance of mathematics in human life and intellect. It suggests that the ability to cope with mathematical concepts is a fundamental aspect of being fully human, indicating that those who struggle with it are lacking in a vital dimension of understanding and reasoning, akin to merely existing without truly engaging with one's potential.

Themes

MathematicsEducationHuman IntellectReasoningPotential

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of STEM education, this quote can highlight the value of mathematics.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
An armed society is a polite society.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Democracy is a poor system of government at best; the only thing that can honestly be said in its favor is that it is eight times as good as any other method the human race has ever tried.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Long human words (the longer the better) were easy, unmistakable, and rarely changed their meanings . . . but short words were slippery, unpredictable, changing their meanings without any pattern.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
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. HeinleinRead

Similar quotes

The true business of people should be to go back to school and think about whatever it was they were thinking about before somebody came along and told them they had to earn a living.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
The best way to get kids to read a book is to say: 'This book is not appropriate for your age, and it has all sorts of horrible things in it like sex and death and some really big and complicated ideas, and you're better off not touching it until you're all grown up. I'm going to put it on this shelf and leave the room for a while. Don't open it.
Philip PullmanRead
Hold a book in your hand and you're a pilgrim at the gates of a new city.
Anne MichaelsRead
Actually if a writer needs a dictionary he should not write. He should have read the dictionary at least three times from beginning to end and then have loaned it to someone who needs it. There are only certain words which are valid and similes (bring me my dictionary) are like defective ammunition (the lowest thing I can think of at this time).
Ernest HemingwayRead
If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn't need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.
Jim RohnRead
Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.
Mortimer AdlerRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.