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About this quote

What does it mean?
Healthy societies allow children to mature naturally, while corrupt ones force premature adulthood or eternal childhood.
In plain terms
Good societies let kids grow up naturally; bad ones rush them or keep them immature.
What can you take from it?
Allow natural growth and maturity in society.

Where it applies

  • parenting
  • education
  • cultural critique

Putting it to work

  • child development programs
  • parenting guides
  • social reform

Questions to consider

  • How does your society treat children?
  • What pressures force premature maturity?

Another view

Sometimes children need to grow up quickly due to difficult circumstances.

More from John Ruskin

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  3. Punishment is the last and least effective instrument in the hands of the legislator for the prevention of crime.

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