The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Jealousy stems from insecurity, and a strong individual does not feel jealous.
This quote by Robert A. Heinlein highlights the notion that jealousy is a reflection of personal insecurity rather than a healthy emotional response. A self-assured and capable person does not succumb to feelings of jealousy, as they possess the confidence to trust themselves and their relationships without fear of inadequacy.
Themes
JealousyInsecuritySelf-ConfidenceRelationshipsPersonal Growth
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about overcoming insecurities, this quote can encourage individuals to focus on self-love instead of jealousy.
More from Robert A. Heinlein
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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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