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, build a wall, set a bone, 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.
A lot of this stuff takes practice. Dying gallantly?...not so much...
One of my favorites, thanks for posting it.
He was also fond of repeating.... Dishwashers are always needed.
One can only wonder how many unemployed could get a job a the kitchen washing dishes if they only would go look
I love that quote, too! Have you ever looked at your life to see how close you are to ‘Heinlein’s Perfection’? Do it! You’ll be surprised at what you’ve already accomplished! :)
A human being should be able to:
Change a diaper: Literally, HUNDREDS. Raised three boys.
Plan an invasion: 20 years in the Army? Yep. I can do that. :)
Butcher a hog: Never did a hog, but did plenty of deer and chickens.
Conn a ship: That means to stock it for voyage, right? If so, my ‘ship,’ while still in harbor, is fully stocked!
Design a building: I’ve designed gardens, but not buildings.
Write a sonnet: Written poetry, never attempted a Sonnet - Yet!
Balance accounts: Daily!
Build a wall: Planted a ‘living wall’ of trees; never from brick or stone. Yet.
Set a bone: Never had to yet. Hope I never do, but I’ve taken care of stitching people up and cleaning wounds if that counts?
Comfort the dying: Yep. My best girlfriend died of cancer seven years ago. I was with her ‘til the bitter end. Miss you, Cathy Jo! Every damn day, Girl. :)
Take orders: Again, 20 years in the Army!
Give orders: Again, 20 years int he Army!
Cooperate: I have an EVIL Little Sister, so I’ve learned that lesson, thanks to Dear Old Mom, LOL!
Act alone: Always! I live in ‘The People’s Republik of Madistan.’ I do all sorts of subversive stuff under cover of darkness...
Solve equations: Math was never my strong suit, though I’m REALLY good with money.
Analyze a new problem: Problems? Not me, LOL!
Pitch manure: Does chicken manure count?
Program a computer: Beyond me. This will not happen in my lifetime.
Cook a tasty meal: I totally ROCK at this!
Fight efficiently: The only person I’ve ever come to blows with has been that Sister noted above that I was ‘supposed’ to be ‘cooperating’ with! :)
Die gallantly: When the time comes I will, but I’ll be taking a few down with me if need be, LOL! :)