The truth is that it is our attitude towards children that is right, and our attitude towards grown-up people that is wrong. Our attitude towards our equals in age consists in a servile solemnity, overlying a considerable degree of indifference or disdain. Our attitude towards children consists in a condescending indulgence, overlying an unfathomable respect.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- We wrongly treat adults with stiff indifference but should treat children with deep respect rather than indulgence.
- In plain terms
- Respect children deeply instead of just indulging them.
- What can you take from it?
- Treat children with serious respect.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you respect children?
- How do you treat adults?
Another view
Children may lack the maturity to handle full adult-level respect.
More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton
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Permalink to quote #63 When we reverence anything in the mature, it is their virtues or their wisdom, and this is an easy matter. But we reverence the faults and follies of children.…
Permalink to quote #65 The most unfathomable schools and sages have never attained to the gravity which dwells in the eyes of a baby of three months old. It is the gravity of astonis…
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