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About this quote

What does it mean?
Montaigne criticizes how society trains children from infancy to prioritize love and affection above all else.
In plain terms
Society raises children to focus mostly on love and affection.
What can you take from it?
Recognize how early education shapes values.

Where it applies

  • parenting
  • education reform
  • cultural critique

Putting it to work

  • balanced upbringing
  • evaluate values
  • child development

Questions to consider

  • How do we raise children today?
  • What values are prioritized early?

Another view

Focusing on love is not inherently negative despite potential overemphasis.

More from Michel de Montaigne

  1. Experience teaches that a strong memory is generally joined to a weak judgment.

    Permalink to quote #66
  2. Don't discuss yourself, for you are bound to lose; if you belittle yourself, you are believed; if you praise yourself, you are disbelieved.

    Permalink to quote #63
  3. Fame and tranquility can never be bedfellows.

    Permalink to quote #68

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