# Quote — Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

> Ben, the ethics of sex is a thorny problem. Each of us is forced to grope for a solution he can live with — in the face of a preposterous, unworkable, and evil code of so-called "morals." Most of us know the code is wrong; almost everybody breaks it. But we pay Danegeld by feeling guilty and giving lip service. Willy-nilly, the code rides us, dead and stinking, an albatross around the neck.
>
> You, too, Ben. You fancy yourself a free soul — and break that evil code. But faced with a problem in sexual ethics new to you, you tested it against that same Judeo-Christian code ... so automatically your stomach did flip-flops ... and you think that proves you're right and they're wrong. Faugh! I'd as lief use trial by ordeal.

- Author: [Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md)
- Book: [Stranger in a Strange Land](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/stranger-in-a-strange-land.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_A._Heinlein#Stranger_in_a_Strange_Land_(1961%3B_1991)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/stranger-in-a-strange-land/ben-the-ethics

## More from this book

> "The golden sunshine of Italy congealed into tears. Here's to the alcoholic brotherhood... much more suited to the frail human soul, if any, than any other sort."

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/stranger-in-a-strange-land/the-golden-sunshine.md)

> Kiss girls all you want to — it beats the hell out of card games.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/stranger-in-a-strange-land/kiss-girls-all.md)

> Share water. Never thirst.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/stranger-in-a-strange-land/share-water-never.md)