The original 1952 manuscript of Heinlein's essay, reproduced in the Awaken.org reading archive.
HEINLEIN'S 1952 'THIS I BELIEVE' CELEBRATES COMMUNITY GOODNESS
*Robert A. Heinlein’s 1952 essay extols everyday kindness, from a priest to a stray‑cat‑saving vet. The piece resurfaces on Awaken.org, sparking debate over its timeless optimism.*
Robert A. Heinlein’s essay “This I Believe,” first aired in 1952, resurfaced on the Awaken.org reading platform, where it logged a three‑minute read and nine reflections. The piece eschews religious doctrine, focusing instead on observable kindness in everyday life. Heinlein lists a priest, a veterinarian, nurses, teachers, and anonymous townspeople as proof that decency outweighs crime. Comments on the page range from gratitude for the values expressed to a correction that Heinlein died in 1988, underscoring the community’s engagement with the text. The essay’s resurgence invites a fresh look at mid‑century optimism amid today’s cynicism.
What does Heinlein claim about his neighbors?
Heinlein writes, “I believe in my neighbors. I know their faults, and I know that their virtues far outweigh their faults.” He cites Father Michael, a non‑creed neighbor whose daily actions radiate “goodness and charity and loving kindness.” He adds that a veterinary doctor will rise after a hard day to help a stray cat without expecting payment. The essay lists these personal observations as evidence of a broader social fabric of mutual aid.
How does the essay portray broader societal trust?
Heinlein asserts that any hungry person can knock on a town door and be fed. He claims that hitchhikers are routinely offered rides, with drivers saying, “Climb in, Mac—how far you going?” He contrasts headlines of crime with the statistic that for every criminal there are “10,000 honest, decent, kindly men.” He argues that without this hidden decency, “no child would live to grow up” and business would collapse.
Which professions does Heinlein single out for their integrity?
He praises nurses for “patient gallantry,” teachers for “tedious sacrifices,” and workmen for “honest craft.” He references historic projects like Independence Hall and the Grand Coulee Dam, stating they were built “level and square by craftsmen who were honest in their bones.” He also claims “almost all politicians are honest,” noting “hundreds of politicians, low paid or not paid at all, doing their level best without thanks or glory.”
Why does the essay conclude with a cosmic vision of humanity?
Heinlein ends by declaring belief in “the whole race” across colors, emphasizing “honesty, courage, intelligence, durability, and goodness.” He predicts humanity will survive “by the skin of our teeth,” endure, and eventually “spread out to the stars and beyond,” carrying its “honesty and insatiable curiosity.” The final line, “This I believe,” caps the essay’s optimistic creed.
Frequently asked questions
When was Robert A. Heinlein's essay 'This I Believe' first published?
The essay first aired in 1952, as noted in a comment on the Awaken.org page.
What professions does Heinlein highlight as examples of honesty?
Heinlein mentions nurses, teachers, workmen, and politicians as examples of honest and decent professionals.
Did Robert A. Heinlein die before or after the essay was posted online?
A comment on the page states that Heinlein died in 1988, well after the essay originally aired in 1952.
Heinlein’s 1952 manifesto of trust and generosity stands as a stark counterpoint to contemporary headlines of division. By cataloguing concrete acts—feeding the hungry, offering rides, building national monuments—he builds a case that ordinary decency is the hidden engine of society. Whether readers accept his sweeping confidence or challenge it, the essay forces a reckoning: can the quiet majority truly sustain civilization, or is the optimism itself a relic of a bygone era?
Sources: Awaken.org reading page for 'This I Believe' by Robert A. Heinlein, comments dated May 7 2023, May 28 2016, July 18 2006, June 8 2006.