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Now these delightful infants are born haphazardly of any…

“Now these delightful infants are born haphazardly of any mating, any parents, treated well or ill as chance dictates, dying as easily as they are born, and dying anyway so soon after they are born - and yet in each child, every one, has all the potentiality, has it still, and completely, to leap…” quote by Doris Lessing
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““Now these delightful infants are born haphazardly of any mating, any parents, treated well or ill as chance dictates, dying as easily as they are born, and dying anyway so soon after they are born - and yet in each child, every one, has all the potentiality, has it still, and completely, to leap from his low half-animal state to true humanity. Each one of them with this potential, and yet so few can be reached, to make the leap.””

Doris Lessing

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Each child possesses an innate capacity to transcend basic animal instincts and achieve full humanity, but most never realize this potential.

In simple terms: Children can become fully human but often don’t.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and nurture human potential.

Themes

potential humanity growth development

Mood

hopeful reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • parenting
  • social policy
  • personal development

Key Concepts

self‑actualization existentialism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies better support each child's full development?
  • What personal actions foster human potential?
A Different Perspective

Societal constraints and lack of support often prevent this transformation.

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