The Notebooks of Lazarus Long
Encyclopedia
The Notebooks of Lazarus Long is a selection of catchphrases and pearls of wisdom from one of Robert A. Heinlein
's main characters (Lazarus Long
). These were originally published as two "intermissions" in the 1973 novel Time Enough for Love
. In the context of the novel, these quotes were selected from Long's much longer memoirs (which make up a significant portion of the novel). Some of the phrases are humorous, some philosophical, and some merely quirky. They range in length from one sentence to multiple paragraphs. For example:
"Anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to wear shoes, bathe, and not make messes in the house."
"Rub her feet."
"Never try to teach a pig to sing- it wastes your time and annoys the pig."
In 1978, these "notebooks" were published as a standalone work, with some selections illuminated
(much like scripture) by D.F Vassallo. More excerpts were published in New Destinies, Vol. VI/Winter 1988 — "Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Issue
, edited by Jim Baen.
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was one of the most influential and controversial authors of the genre. He set a standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of...
's main characters (Lazarus Long
Lazarus Long
Lazarus Long is a fictional character featured in a number of science fiction novels by Robert A. Heinlein. Born in 1912 in the third generation of a selective breeding experiment run by the Ira Howard Foundation, Lazarus becomes unusually long-lived, living well over two thousand years with the...
). These were originally published as two "intermissions" in the 1973 novel Time Enough for Love
Time Enough for Love
Time Enough for Love is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, first published in 1973. The work was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1973 and both the Hugo and Locus Awards in 1974.-Plot:...
. In the context of the novel, these quotes were selected from Long's much longer memoirs (which make up a significant portion of the novel). Some of the phrases are humorous, some philosophical, and some merely quirky. They range in length from one sentence to multiple paragraphs. For example:
"Anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to wear shoes, bathe, and not make messes in the house."
"Rub her feet."
"Never try to teach a pig to sing- it wastes your time and annoys the pig."
In 1978, these "notebooks" were published as a standalone work, with some selections illuminated
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
(much like scripture) by D.F Vassallo. More excerpts were published in New Destinies, Vol. VI/Winter 1988 — "Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Issue
New Destinies (Heinlein)
New Destinies, Vol. VI/Winter 1988—Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Issue, edited by Jim Baen, .This issue of "The Paperback Magazine of Science Fiction and Speculative Fact" was published after the death of Robert A. Heinlein earlier that year. It contains a few of his stories, several tributes, and...
, edited by Jim Baen.