Robert A. Heinlein: Beyond Money

Meaning of Robert A. Heinlein Money Quote: saying best things in life take hard work and devotion to ideals, not focus on money. Robert A. Heinlein said:

 

 

“The best things in life are beyond money; their price is agony and sweat and devotion” — Robert A. Heinlein

In this quote, Robert A. Heinlein is referring to the most meaningful and valuable things in life that cannot be bought with money. He suggests that the “best things in life” like love, happiness, health, personal growth, or creative/artistic accomplishments require significant effort, struggle and sacrifice to attain.

When he says their “price is agony and sweat and devotion”, he means that achieving these best things often demands enduring hardship, exerting great effort through hard work or labor (“sweat”), and dedicating oneself fully to a cause or pursuit (“devotion”). So while money cannot directly buy these most meaningful aspects of life, Heinlein is saying they can be obtained through paying the non-monetary costs of pain, toil and complete commitment of oneself to their attainment.

In essence, the quote conveys that the greatest and most worthwhile parts of the human experience cannot be purchased but must be earned through difficulty, struggle and unwavering dedication of one’s efforts, time and energy. The “price” is the non-financial costs one pays in the journey towards these best things.

Birthday: July 7, 1907 – Death: May 8, 1988

Robert A. Heinlein: Tax Receipt

Meaning of Robert A. Heinlein Money Quote: saying Following requirements, rules, and instructions as a member of society. Robert A. Heinlein said:
 

 

“Do this. Don’t do that. Stay back in line. Where’s tax receipt? Fill out form. Let’s see license. Submit six copies. Exit only. No left turn. No right turn. Queue up and pay fine. Take back and get stamped. Drop dead— but first get permit” — Robert A. Heinlein

In this quote, Robert A. Heinlein seems to be satirizing and exaggerating bureaucratic red tape and excessive rules and regulations. The best interpretation is that he is using hyperbolic language and staccato phrasing to mock the overbearing nature of governmental paperwork, restrictions and oversight in everyday life.

By listing an absurd number of demands, prohibitions and hoops to jump through, he aims to humorously highlight and criticize what he views as an overly regulated and controlled society. Overall, Heinlein appears to be employing sarcasm and ridicule to comment on the frustration of dealing with complex bureaucracy.

Birthday: July 7, 1907 – Death: May 8, 1988

Robert A. Heinlein: Commercial Financing Commodity

Robert A. Heinlein Money Quote saying banks could finance commercial loans by charging reasonable fees, but instead commoditize cash based on scarcity. Robert A. Heinlein said:
 

 

“Commercial financing could be done for a service charge plus an insurance fee amounting to much less that the rates of interest charged by banks, whose rates were based on supply and demand, treating money as a commodity rather than as a sovereign state’s means of exchange” — Robert A. Heinlein

In this quote, Robert A. Heinlein seems to be commenting on alternative models for commercial financing compared to traditional bank lending. He suggests that financing could be provided through a service charge and insurance fee, which together would amount to less than the interest rates charged by banks.

Heinlein portrays how bank rates are influenced more by market forces treating money as a commodity, rather than recognizing the sovereign role of a state in establishing its currency.

Overall, the quote appears to be arguing that more efficient, lower-cost options for business financing could exist if rates were detached from speculative influences and instead focused on the intended purpose of money as a medium of exchange established by governments.

Heinlein may have been proposing some form of public or cooperative financing system as an improvement over the bank-dominated models of his time.

Birthday: July 7, 1907 – Death: May 8, 1988

Robert A. Heinlein: Daughters Spend More

Robert A. Heinlein Money Quotation saying girls can spend more of their father’s money than he can afford. Robert A. Heinlein said:
 

 

“Daughters can spend ten percent more than a man can make in any usual occupation” — Robert A. Heinlein

In this quote, Robert A. Heinlein seems to be making a humorous observation about the financial demands that daughters can place on their fathers. By stating that daughters can spend 10% more than what a man can earn through typical work, Heinlein is exaggerating for comedic effect about daughters’ ability to spend beyond even a good salary.

The quote playfully suggests that daughters may have expensive tastes or priorities that outpace a father’s income no matter his occupation. Overall, Heinlein appears to be using ironic understatement and generalization for humorous purposes rather than making a serious claim. The tone seems to be one of affectionate jest rather than criticism regarding family dynamics and budgets.

Birthday: July 7, 1907 – Death: May 8, 1988