“In terms of morals there is no such thing as ‘state.’ Just men. Individuals. Each responsible for his own acts.”

— Robert A. Heinlein , book The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

Source: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Robert A. Heinlein 557

American science fiction author 1907–1988

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“Moral equivalence is a term of propaganda that was invented to try to prevent us from looking at the acts for which we are responsible. …There is no such notion.”

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“A rational anarchist believes that concepts, such as "state" and "society" and "government" have no existence save as physically exemplified in the acts of self-responsible individuals.”

Robert A. Heinlein book The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (1966)
Context: A rational anarchist believes that concepts, such as "state" and "society" and "government" have no existence save as physically exemplified in the acts of self-responsible individuals. He believes that it is impossible to shift blame, share blame, distribute blame... as blame, guilt, responsibility are matters taking place inside human beings singly and nowhere else. But being rational, he knows that not all individuals hold his evaluations, so he tries to live perfectly in an imperfect world... aware that his efforts will be less than perfect yet undismayed by self-knowledge of self-failure.

“Man must act in such a way that the whole of his individuality lies in each moment.”

Otto Weininger (1880–1903) austrian philosopher and writer

Collected Aphorisms

“We will be forced to cut state benefits, support personal responsibility and demand higher personal contributions from each individual.”

Gerhard Schröder (1944) German politician (SPD)

Wir werden Leistungen des Staates kürzen, Eigenverantwortung fördern und mehr Eigenleistung von jedem Einzelnen abfordern müssen.
government policy statement, 14 March 2003, quoted on ksta.de http://www.ksta.de/politik/hintergrund--das-reformpaket---132agenda-2010--148,15187246,13237294.html

“In terms of morals there is no such thing as ‘state.’ Just men. Individuals. Each responsible for his own acts.”

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Robert A. Heinlein 557

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