A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy, and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A mother spends decades shaping a boy, but another woman can ruin that in minutes.
- In plain terms
- Long‑term upbringing can be undone quickly by a new influence.
- What can you take from it?
- Be aware of the powerful impact of short‑term relationships.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What safeguards can protect lifelong lessons?
- How do you recover from a damaging influence?
Another view
Not all brief interactions have lasting negative effects.
More from Robert Frost
A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.
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Permalink to quote #129 A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer.
Permalink to quote #126
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