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About this quote

What does it mean?
Children should be truthful and polite at the table, but expectations should match their developmental ability.
In plain terms
Teach children to tell the truth and behave, but only as much as they can.
What can you take from it?
Expect polite behavior from children only within their ability.

Where it applies

  • family meals
  • raising children
  • socialization

Putting it to work

  • model good manners
  • adjust expectations by age

Questions to consider

  • What manners do you prioritize in children?
  • How do you adjust expectations for different ages?

Another view

Children might not always be able to say what is true without fear.

More from Robert Louis Stevenson

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  3. Them that die will be the lucky ones!

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