The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Government! Three-fourths parasitic and the rest stupid fumbling - oh, Harshaw concluded that man, a social animal, could not avoid government, any more than an individual could escape bondage to his bowels. But simply because an evil was inescapable was no reason to term it "good." He wished that government would wander off and get lost! (96)
Interpretation
What this quote means
Heinlein critiques government by suggesting that while it is a necessary evil in society, it is not inherently good.
In this quote, Heinlein presents a cynical view of government as largely ineffective and burdensome, comparing it to an inescapable bodily function. He argues that just because government is a necessary part of social structure, it does not mean it should be regarded positively; instead, he expresses a wish for government to disappear entirely, highlighting the tension between the need for societal organization and the frustration it can cause.
Themes
GovernmentSocietyPoliticsCritiquePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the role of government in a public forum.
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