To the secular arm, therefore, be delivered any and every…
““To the secular arm, therefore, be delivered any and every book which, catering for the youngsters, throttles the life of the old folktales with coils of explanatory notes, and heaps on their maimed corpses the dead weight of biographical appendices. Nevertheless, that which delighted our childhood may instruct our manhood; and notes, appendices, and all the gear of didactic exposition, have their place elsewhere in helping the student, anxious to reach the seed of fact which is covered by the pulp of fiction. For, to effect this is to make approach to man's thoughts and conceptions of himself and his surroundings, to his way of looking at things and to explanation of his conduct both in work and play. Hence the folk-tale and the game are alike pressed into the service of study of the human mind. Turn where we may, the pastimes of children are seen to mimic the serious pursuits of men.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage critiques over‑annotated books that diminish folk tales, arguing that childhood stories shape adult understanding and should be preserved for their educational value.
In simple terms: Over‑annotation harms folk tales; childhood stories teach valuable lessons for adult life.
Key Takeaway
Preserve simple narratives to nurture imagination and learning.
Themes
education
storytelling
childhood
culture
literature
Mood
thoughtful
nostalgic
Type
analytical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- reading programs
- parental guidance
- curriculum design
Key Concepts
pedagogy
cultural studies
literary criticism
developmental psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do folk tales influence adult perspectives?
- What is the ideal balance between annotation and narrative integrity?
A Different Perspective
Excessive analysis can strip emotional resonance; balancing depth and simplicity is challenging.