The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Victory in defeat, there is none higher. She didn't give up, Ben; she's still trying to lift that stone after it has crushed her. She's a father working while cancer eats away his insides, to bring home one more pay check. She's a twelve-year-old trying to mother her brothers and sisters because mama had to go to Heaven. She's a switchboard operator sticking to her post while smoke chokes her and fire cuts off her escape. She's all the unsung heroes who couldn't make it but never quit.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote illustrates the strength and perseverance of individuals facing immense challenges and adversity without giving up.
Robert A. Heinlein's quote emphasizes the profound courage and determination found in individuals considered unsung heroes. It paints a vivid picture of everyday people who, despite being crushed by life's hardships, continue to strive and lift their burdens, be it a father battling cancer or a young girl caring for her siblings. The essence of victory lies not in triumphs but in the relentless spirit of those who never quit, demonstrating that true strength is found in resilience against overwhelming odds.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about overcoming challenges in life.
More from Robert A. Heinlein
All quotes →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.
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