The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Come Judgment Day, we may find that Mumbo Jumbo the God of the Congo was the Big Boss all along.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that our beliefs about power and authority may be challenged at the end of times.
Heinlein's quote prompts a reflection on the nature of authority and divinity, suggesting that what humanity often perceives as significant power or truth might be misguided. It raises questions about faith, belief systems, and the possibility that what we assume to be trivial or chaotic (like 'Mumbo Jumbo') might hold a greater truth than we acknowledge.
Themes
BeliefAuthorityTruthPerceptionFaith
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a philosophical discussion about the nature of belief systems.
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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.
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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.
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Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.
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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.
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