The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Any priest or shaman must be presumed guilty until proved innocent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that those in positions of spiritual authority should be scrutinized and held accountable for their actions.
Robert A. Heinlein's quote reflects a critical view of authority figures, particularly religious leaders, emphasizing the importance of skepticism and the need for proof of integrity in those who wield spiritual or moral influence. It implies that blind faith can be dangerous and that accountability should be a standard for all who lead or guide others.
Themes
AuthoritySkepticismIntegrityAccountabilitySpirituality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the role of church leaders in modern society, one might say, 'As Heinlein said, any priest or shaman must be presumed guilty until proved innocent.'
More from Robert A. Heinlein
All quotes βAn 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
The rule of law should be upheld by all political parties. They should neither advise others to break the law, nor encourage others to do so even when they strongly disagree with the legislation put forward by the government of the day.
James CallaghanRead
The perfect man of old looked after himself first before looking to help others.
ZhuangziRead
I don't want a moratorium on the death penalty. I want the abolition of it. I can't understand why a country [USA] that's so committed to human rights doesn't find the death penalty an obscenity.
Desmond TutuRead
What makes life worthwhile is having a big enough objective, something which catches our imagination and lays hold of our allegiance, and this the Christian has in a way that no other person has. For what higher, more exalted, and more compelling goal can there be than to know God?
J. I. PackerRead
Special-interest publications should realize that if they are attracting enough advertising and readers to make a profit, the interest is not so special.
Fran LebowitzRead
No work nor deed of ours whatsoever, no not faith itself, can be the condition of the covenant of grace properly so called; but only Christ's fulfilling all righteousness.
Thomas BostonRead