The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
His older self had taught his younger self a language which the older self knew because the younger self, after being taught, grew up to be the older self and was, therefore, capable of teaching.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the cyclical nature of learning and self-growth over time.
In this quote, Robert A. Heinlein expresses the idea that our future selves are shaped by the knowledge and experiences we acquire in our youth. This highlights the interconnectedness of our past, present, and future, suggesting that the wisdom we gain at one stage of life is essential for our development and can later be passed down to our younger selves, creating a continuous loop of teaching and learning.
Themes
LearningGrowthWisdomSelf-DevelopmentTeaching
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of mentorship.
More from Robert A. Heinlein
All quotes →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
To become the enemy, see yourself as the enemy of the enemy
Miyamoto MusashiRead
My principal anguish, and the wellspring of all my joys and sorrows, has been the incessant merciless battle between the spirit and the flesh.
Nikos KazantzakisRead
I am ashamed every day, and more ashamed the next. But I will spend the rest of my life in this living space writing these notes, this journal, recording my acts and reflections, finding some honor, some worth at the bottom of things. I want ten thousand pages that will stop the world.
Don DelilloRead
There comes a moment when we all must realize that life is short, and in the end the only thing that really counts is not how others see us, but how God sees us.
Billy GrahamRead
Today is unique! It has never occurred and it will never be repeated. At midnight it will end, quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever. But the hours between now and then are opportunities with eternal possibilities.
Charles R. SwindollRead
You fall out of your mother's womb, you crawl across open country under fire, and drop into your grave.
Quentin CrispRead