The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Innovation often arises from the desire to simplify tasks and find more efficient methods.
This quote highlights the idea that progress and innovation can stem from a certain level of laziness; those who seek easier and more efficient ways to complete tasks tend to push boundaries and create advancements. Instead of seeing laziness as a negative trait, Heinlein suggests that it can be a catalyst for creativity and improvement, as it motivates individuals to rethink their processes and find better solutions.
Themes
ProgressInnovationEfficiencyLazinessCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about technology, I quoted Heinlein to emphasize how innovation often stems from the drive to simplify workflows.
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
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
A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
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Now is the time when your action is practice.
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If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
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Vigor is contagious, and whatever makes us either think or feel strongly adds to our power and enlarges our field of action.
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