The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Who is more real? Homer or Ulysses? Shakespeare or Hamlet? Burroughs or Tarzan?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote questions the nature of reality and the distinction between fictional characters and their creators.
This quote from Robert A. Heinlein prompts us to reflect on the essence of reality and fiction, suggesting that characters in literature can embody their own truths and exist in ways that are perhaps more 'real' than their creators. It blurs the lines between the creator and the creation, urging us to consider the significance and impact of fictional narratives and how they resonate with our understanding of existence.
Themes
RealityFictionCharactersLiteratureCreation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about literature, one might use this quote to illustrate the depth of fictional characters.
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
That is a dream also; only he has remained asleep, while you have awakened; and who knows which of you is the most fortunate?
Alexandre DumasRead
One way to define spiritual life is getting so tired and fed up with yourself you go on to something better, which is following Jesus.
Eugene H. PetersonRead
Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him-and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.
Max LucadoRead
I didnβt want any flowers, I only wanted to lie with my hands turned up and be utterly empty. How free it is, you have no idea how free.
Sylvia PlathRead
Time was something that largely happened to other people; he viewed it in the same way that people on the shore viewed the sea. It was big and it was out there, and sometimes it was an invigorating thing to dip a toe into, but you couldn't live in it all the time. Besides, it always made his skin wrinkle.
Terry PratchettRead
If, in the name of combating terrorism, we so restrict our own freedom, have we not thereby lost part of the very battle we seek to win?
Jed S. RakoffRead