The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
The saddest thing about ephemerals was that their little lives rarely held time enough for love.
Interpretation
Ephemeral beings have fleeting lives that prevent them from experiencing lasting love.
This quote reflects on the transient nature of existence, suggesting that for beings whose lives are brief, such as mayflies or certain moments in life, there is scarcely enough time to encounter and cultivate deep connections or love. It evokes a sense of melancholy regarding the brevity of life and the opportunities for emotional fulfillment that often slip away.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of appreciating relationships, one might say, 'As Robert A. Heinlein wisely noted, the saddest thing about ephemerals was that their little lives rarely held time enough for love.'
The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
An armed society is a polite society.
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.
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.
Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.
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.
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none. Beatrice: A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. -Much Ado About Nothing
Sweetest love, I do not go, For weariness of thee, Nor in hope the world can show A fitter love for me; But since that I Must die at last, 'tis best, To use my self in jest Thus by feign'd deaths to die.
I just miss you, in a quite simple desperate human way. Oh my dear, I can’t be clever and stand-offish with you: I love you too much for that. Too truly.You have no idea how stand-offish I can be with people I don’t love. I have brought it to a fine art. But you have broken down my defences. And I don’t really resent it.
You never know how long you have with someone, so don’t forget to say I love you while you can.
One act of pure love in saving life is greater than spending the whole of one's time in religious offerings to the gods . . .
The first secret to loving others is to immerse yourself in a love relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - and abide there.
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