The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Hate always sells well, but for repeat trade and the long pull happiness is sounder merchandise.
Interpretation
What this quote means
While hate may attract attention, true and lasting success comes from promoting happiness.
This quote by Robert A. Heinlein suggests that although negative emotions like hate may gain immediate interest or traction, they are not sustainable for long-term fulfillment or success. Instead, fostering happiness leads to more profound and satisfying outcomes, indicating that a positive approach is ultimately more beneficial for enduring connections and a successful life.
Themes
HateHappinessSuccessMerchandiseLong Term
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech about the importance of positivity.
More from Robert A. Heinlein
All quotes →An armed society is a polite society.
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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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I don’t know if you’ve ever felt like that. That you wanted to sleep for a thousand years. Or just not exist. Or just not be aware that you do exist. Or something like that. I think wanting that is very morbid, but I want it when I get like this. That’s why I’m trying not to think. I just want it all to stop spinning.
Stephen ChboskyRead