Robert A. Heinlein Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"Goodness without wisdom always accomplished evil."

by:	Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) American writer
Source:	"Stranger in a Strange Land"
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Categories:	Government, Independence, Power
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Reader comments about this quote:

-- E Archer, NYC
I guess to start with, goodness, wisdom and evil would have to be defined. I think if the definitions were within the scope of natural law, the quote would get 4 stars; at legal positivism, a thumbs down. What a socialist would call wisdom would be clearly exposed at natural law as stupid (The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits (Albert Einstein)) That same perceived socialist believes goodness to be collectivist slavery while individual liberty is an evil. -- Mike, Norwalk 3
This so describes the play on emotions of people after a particularly ugly incident. IE: the Las Vegas shooting. Laws pushed on the shaky grounds of emotionalism are dangerous, deceptive and often deadly...but this has been done by budding dictatorships since the dawn of time...dictators care less the "collateral damage" left as long as their ends are achieved. -- Denise, Durango 1
Beauty lived prudently avoids corruption within the bounds of natural law. Welfare without good conscience is soon to break the givers bank. It is better to pay it forward than require a paying back. Mercy does not look for anything in return. -- Ronw13, Oregon