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# Overheard : Comment about what is takes to be a competent person
- URL: https://kudithipudi.org/overheard-comment-about-competent-human-being/
- Published: 2014-01-08T02:46:07.000Z
- Updated: 2014-01-08T02:46:07.000Z
- Description: Came across quote by Robert A. Heinlein on a blog post by Jacques Mattheij regarding a what a competent man should be able to do A...
- Author: admin
- Tags: OverHeard, Uncategorized, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-23 02:32

Came across quote by [Robert A. Heinlein](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert%5FA.%5FHeinlein?ref=kudithipudi.org) on a [blog](http://www.jacquesmattheij.com/will-work-for-food-and-lodging?ref=kudithipudi.org) post by [Jacques Mattheij](http://www.jacquesmattheij.com/?ref=kudithipudi.org) regarding a what a competent man should be able to do

> A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.