The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Neither individuals nor corporations have any right to come into court and ask that the clock of history be stopped, or turned back.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Change is an inevitable part of progress, and one cannot reverse the advancements of history.
This quote emphasizes the futility of attempting to reverse time or diminish the effects of progress made in history. Whether individuals or corporations, no one has the right to halt or rewind the developments that have shaped society, as history is meant to move forward and evolve.
Themes
HistoryChangeProgressInevitableRights
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on innovation, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of moving forward rather than clinging to outdated practices.
More from Robert A. Heinlein
All quotes βAn armed society is a polite society.
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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.
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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
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