To be a child is something one learns, as one learns the names of rivers or the kings of France. Childhood, for a child, is a sort of falseness, woodenness, stoniness, a lesson recited. Many children are aware of this - that is, aware of being children as a special, prosy condition: 'We can't do that! We're children!' Playing children is a long boring game with occasional exciting moments.

Calling someone a monster does not make him more guilty; it makes him less so by classing him with beasts and devils.

As happens with sports and hobbies, his enjoyment was solemnized by expertise, the rites of comparing, collating, a half-deliberate parody of scholarship like …

In politics, it seems, retreat is honorable if dictated by military considerations and shameful if even suggested for ethical reasons.

Children love secret club houses. They love secrecy even when there's no need for secrecy.

A little bench of heedless bishops here, And there a chancellor in embryo.

It should be noted that children at play are not playing about; their games should be seen as their most serious-minded activity.