Quotes from bookStranger in a Strange Land
Stranger in a Strange Land is a 1961 science fiction novel by American author Robert A. Heinlein. It tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who comes to Earth in early adulthood after being born on the planet Mars and raised by Martians, and explores his interaction with and eventual transformation of Terran culture.
“Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
"Jubal Harshaw" in the first edition (1961); the later 1991 "Uncut" edition didn't have this line, because it was one Heinlein had added when he went through and trimmed the originally submitted manuscript on which the "Uncut" edition is based. Heinlein also later used a variant of this in The Cat Who Walks Through Walls where he has Xia quote Harshaw: "Dr. Harshaw says that 'the word "love" designates a subjective condition in which the welfare and happiness of another person are essential to one's own happiness.'"
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land (1961; 1991)
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Variant: I do know that the slickest way to lie is to tell the right amount of truth--then shut up.
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
“The drive for power is even less logical than the sex urge… and stronger.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
“I know why we laugh. We laugh because it hurts, and it's the only thing to make it stop hurting.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Variant: I've found out why people laugh. They laugh because it hurts so much... because it's the only thing that'll make it stop hurting.
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
“I never do anything I don't want to do. Nor does anyone, but in my case I am always aware of it.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
“Churches thrive on martyrdom and persecution.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
“I'm always suspicious of disinterested interest.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
“If you've got the truth you can demonstrate it. Talking doesn't prove it.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
“He's an honest politician--he stays bought.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Stranger in a Strange Land
Source: Stranger in a Strange Land
