# Quote — Robert A. Heinlein, Job: A Comedy of Justice

> There is an artistic principle — not a rule — that volitionals should be treated consistently. But to insist on kindness would be to eliminate that degree of freedom for which volition in creatures was invented. Without the possibility of tragedy the volitionals might as well be golems.

- Author: [Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md)
- Book: [Job: A Comedy of Justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/job-a-comedy-of-justice.md)
- Page: 429
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Job:_A_Comedy_of_Justice#Quotes) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/job-a-comedy-of-justice/there-is-an-artistic

## More from this book

> You are in great danger. And so am I, although I think your danger is much greater than mine. But, Alec, I can assure you of this: If It decides to extinguish you, you will never know it. It is not a sadistic God.

p. 426 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/job-a-comedy-of-justice/you-are-in-great.md)

> Oy! Every prophecy I fulfilled! And now He tells me consistent I am not! This is justice?

p. 434 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/job-a-comedy-of-justice/oy-every-prophecy.md)

> A man who is happy at home doesn’t lie awake nights worrying about the hereafter.

p. 438 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/job-a-comedy-of-justice/a-man-who.md)