I have a little boy, younger than you, who knows six…
““I have a little boy, younger than you, who knows six Psalms by heart: and when you ask him which he would rather have, a gingerbread-nut to eat, or a verse of a Psalm to learn, he says: ‘Oh! the verse of a Psalm! angels sing Psalms,’ says he; ‘I wish to be a little angel here below;’ he then gets two nuts in recompense for his infant piety.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A child prefers spiritual learning over material reward, showing the value of inner devotion over worldly pleasures.
In simple terms: Child values learning over treats.
Prioritize inner growth.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- parenting
- religious instruction
- value of knowledge
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this say about true fulfillment?
- How can we nurture such values today?
The child’s choice may be idealized and not reflect adult complexities.