Background Image

Of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. people do what they want to, every time. if it pains them to make a choice - if the choice looks like a 'sacrifice' - you can be sure that it is no nobler than the discomfort caused by greediness... the necessity of deciding between two things you want when you can't have both.

-Robert A. Heinlein

Please Wait....
Translating....

Of All The Nonsense That Twists The

Robert A. Heinlein

Of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. people do what they want to, every time. if it pains them to make a choice - if the choice looks like a 'sacrifice' - you can be sure that it is no nobler than the discomfort caused by greediness... the necessity of deciding between two things you want when you can't have both.

Views: 3

Cite this Page

Prevent plagiarism by providing proper attribution.

APA FORMAT

Embed this Quote

Copy this HTML code to embed the quote on your website or blog.

HTML CODE

<blockquote style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; border-left: 4px solid #8b5cf6; padding-left: 15px; margin: 20px 0; background: #f9f9f9; padding: 15px; border-radius: 4px; color: #333;">
    <p style="font-size: 1.2rem; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 10px;">"of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of &#039;altruism&#039; is the worst. people do what they want to, every time. if it pains them to make a choice - if the choice looks like a &#039;sacrifice&#039; - you can be sure that it is no nobler than the discomfort caused by greediness... the necessity of deciding between two things you want when you can&#039;t have both."</p>
    <footer style="font-size: 1rem; font-weight: bold;">— Robert A. Heinlein</footer>
    <p style="margin-top: 15px; font-size: 0.85rem;"><a href="https://pjdigitalmarketing.com/quote/of-all-the-nonsense-that-twists-the-world-the-concept-of-altruism-1f8gb" style="color: #8b5cf6; text-decoration: none;">View this quote on Pjdigitalmarketing.com</a></p>
</blockquote>

Topic

Pain Sacrifice Two

More From Robert A. Heinlein

The only justifiable stopping place for for the expansion of altruism is the point at which all whose welfare can be affected by our actions are included within the circle of altruism. this means that all beings with the capacity to feel pleasure or pain should be included; we can improve their welfare by increasing their pleasures and diminishing their pains.

Every mind has its particular standard of good and bad, and of right and wrong. this standard is made by what one has experienced through life, by what one has seen or heard; it also depends upon one's belief in a certain religion, one's birth in a certain nation and origin in a certain race. but what can really be called good or bad, right or wrong, is what comforts the mind and what causes it discomfort. it is not true, although it appears so, that it is discomfort that causes wrongdoing. in reality, it is wrongdoing which causes discomfort, and it is right-doing which gives comfort.

If you're doing nonsense it has to be rather awful, because there'd be no point. i'm trying to think if there's sunny nonsense. sunny, funny nonsense for children — oh, how boring, boring, boring. as schubert said, there is no happy music. and that's true, there really isn't. and there's probably no happy nonsense, either.

Is this what you have in mind,' i asked the dalai lama, 'when you say in teachings that the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the world are the most selfish beings of all, that by cultivating altruism they actually achieve ultimate happiness for themselves?' yes. that's wise selfish,' he replied. 'helping others not means we do this at our own expense. not like this. buddhas and bodhisattvas, these people very wise. all their lives they only want one thing: to achieve ultimate happiness. how to do this? by cultivating compassion, by cultivating altruism.

Altruism does not mean mere kindness or generosity, but the sacrifice of the best among men to the worst, the sacrifice of virtues to flaws, of ability to incompetence, of progress to stagnation-and the subordinating of all life and of all values to the claims of anyone's suffering.

I like that sarah palin. she looks like the flight attendant who won't give you a second can of pepsi ... she looks like the nurse who weighs you and then makes you sit alone in your underwear for 20 minutes ... she looks like a real estate agent whose picture you see on the bus stop bench ... she looks like the hygienist who makes you feel guilty about not flossing ... she looks like the relieved mom in a tide commercial.

Similar Quotes

Those with whom we can apparently become well acquainted in a few moments are generally the most difficult to rightly know and to understand.

My mom is in her mid-60s and has more energy and is more youthful than any human being i know. it's pretty incredible.

The moment you follow someone you cease to follow truth.

There is a strange moment in time, after something horrible happens, when you know it's true, but you haven't told anyone yet.

Trending Author

Gary Larson

Gary Larson

Daniel Kahneman

Daniel Kahneman

Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis

Bruce Conner

Bruce Conner

Will Eisner

Will Eisner

Jonathan Kellerman

Jonathan Kellerman

Category

Personal Growth

Happiness & Joy

Success & Business