The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
A touchstone to determine the actual worth of an "intellectual" - find out how he feels about astrology.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that a person's true intellectual value can be assessed by their perspective on astrology.
Robert A. Heinlein's quote points to the idea that individuals who dismiss or regard astrology as mere superstition may be revealing a narrow-mindedness regarding broader human beliefs and experiences. It provocatively challenges intellectuals to reflect on their openness to unconventional ideas, implying that true wisdom encompasses understanding and appreciating diverse viewpoints, even those considered irrational by mainstream standards.
Themes
AstrologyIntellectualismPhilosophyBeliefsWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on critical thinking, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of open-mindedness.
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
I believe we are put here to improve civilisation.
Seamus HeaneyRead
One could only damage oneself through the harm one did to others. One could never get directly at oneself.
Jean-Paul SartreRead
The question of questions for the politicians should ever be-What type of social structure am I tending to produce? But this is a question he never entertains.
Herbert SpencerRead
The freedom now desired by many is not freedom to do and dare but freedom from care and worry.
James Truslow AdamsRead
Rather than feeling lost and unimportant and meaningless, set against galaxies which go beyond the reach of the furthest telescopes, I feel that my life has meaning. Perhaps I should feel insignificant, but instead I feel a soaring in my heart that the God who could create all this β and out of nothing β can still count the hairs of my head.
Madeleine L'EngleRead
My good friend, you are a citizen of Athens, a city which is very great and very famous for its wisdom and power - are you not ashamed of caring so much for the making of money and for fame and prestige, when you neither think nor care about wisdom and truth and the improvement of your soul?
PlatoRead