
The Normal Condition Of Man

Robert Heinlein
Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man.

Robert Heinlein
Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded —

Robert Heinlein
here and there, now and then —

Robert Heinlein
are the work of an extremely small minority,

Robert Heinlein
frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people.

Robert Heinlein
Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating,

Robert Heinlein
or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society,

Robert Heinlein
the people then slip back into abject poverty.

Robert Heinlein
This is known as "bad luck."