"Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss"

Robert A. Heinlein’s witty observation about strong drink operates on multiple levels, blending humor with subtle social commentary. Alcohol, often celebrated for lowering inhibitions, can embolden individuals to act on impulses they might otherwise suppress. Drinking leads to impaired judgment and diminished faculties, which can result in recklessness, symbolized here by the image of someone shooting at tax collectors. These officials often represent governmental authority, regulation, or the burdens of civic duty that provoke public resentment. The act of ‘shooting at tax collectors’ thus becomes an exaggerated metaphor for acting out rebellious desires or expressing frustration with systems of power.

Yet, Heinlein’s quip does not simply endorse revolt; its punchline hinges on the outcome of missing the target. The suggestion is that intoxication, rather than empowering a person’s inner rebel, only makes them ineffective or foolish. Not only does strong drink embolden rash actions, but it also undercuts the very capacity needed to carry them out successfully. The shooter’s aim is off, literally and figuratively; alcohol clouds the sense of direction and accuracy, leading to consequences that may be both dangerous and ineffectual. This irony introduces another layer to the humor: the frustration of wanting to strike back at authority is compounded by the inability to do so competently when under the influence.

Heinlein’s words also hint at the folly of misguided crusades against institutions. Alcohol-induced bravado may fuel dramatic gestures, but true change or resistance requires clear thought and careful action, not just bold intentions clouded by intoxication. In the end, the joke both lampoons the desire to lash out at unpopular authority and warns against the reliance on false courage. The message encourages skepticism toward substances that distort reality or overinflate self-confidence, highlighting the enduring wisdom of restraint, self-awareness, and the capacity for sober judgment in meeting life’s provocations.