Mrs. Arbuthnot: [quoting Lord Illingworth from the first act] Children love their parents. Eventually they come to judge them. Rarely do they forgive them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Children initially love their parents, but as they mature they judge them and rarely forgive their faults.
- In plain terms
- Kids love parents, later judge them, and seldom forgive.
- What can you take from it?
- Expect that parental mistakes may be judged harshly by children.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle past parental errors with your children?
- Can forgiveness be cultivated?
Another view
Not all children hold grudges; some forgive readily.
More from Oscar Wilde
The growing influence of women is the one reassuring thing in our political life.
Permalink to quote #143 Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them?
Permalink to quote #145 I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But to be out of it simply a tragedy.
Permalink to quote #142
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