FROM ROBERT HEINLEIN'S 'NOTEBOOKS OF LAZARUS LONG'
Delusions are often functional. A mother's opinions about her children's beauty, intelligence, goodness, et cetera ad nauseam, keep her from drowning them at birth.
Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes. Keep this in mind; it may offer a way to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate--and quickly.
Cheops Law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.
Money is a power aphrodisiac. But flowers work almost as well.
Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.
One man's theology is another man's belly laugh.
Never appeal to a man's "better nature." He may not have one.
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.
Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark.
The second best thing about space travel is that the distances involved make war a very difficult, usually impractical, and almost always unnecessary. This is probably a loss for most people, since war is our race's most popular diversion, one which gives purpose and color to dull and stupid lives. But it is a great boon to the intelligent man who fights only when he must--never for sport.
Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation. Stupidity is not a sin, the victim can't help being stupid.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, built a wall, set a bonfire, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
You live and learn. Or you don't live long.
Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy.
In a family argument, if it turns out you are right -- apologize at once!
Never frighten a little man. He'll kill you.
This sad little lizard told me that he was a brontosaurus on his mother's side. I did not laugh; people who boast of ancestry often have little else to sustain them. Humoring them costs nothing and adds to happiness in a world in which happiness is always in short supply.
Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors -- and miss.
Never try to outstubborn a cat.
Tilting at windmills hurts you more than the windmills.
Yield to temptation; it may not pass your way again.
"Go to hell!" or other direct insult is all the answer snoopy questions rate.