The stars are far from eternal, but for man they might as well be. - Larry Niven

Heinlein spun off ideas at a terrific rate. Other writers picked them up…along with a distrust for arrogance combined with stupidity or ignorance, particularly in politicians.

11) There is a time and place for tact. And there are times when tact is entirely misplaced.

“What’s it like being dead?” Hebert asked.
“Not bad, really,” Wood Owl answered after a moment’s consideration. “Like waiting for a tax refund, only slower.”