Whoever the kid had been, whoever had the grand attitude…
“Whoever the kid had been, whoever had the grand attitude, has finally heeded the admonishment of parents, teachers, governments, religions, and the law: "You just change your attitude now please, young man." This transformation in kids - from flashing dragonflies, so to say, to sticky water-surface worms slowly slipping downstream - is noticed with pride by society and with mortification by God, which is a fantastic way of saying I don't like to see kids throw away their truth just because it isn't worth a dime in the open market.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society pressures children to conform, urging them to abandon their authentic passions for conventional expectations.
In simple terms: Kids are urged to change attitudes to fit societal norms.
Key Takeaway
Encourage authentic self‑expression.
Themes
conformity
authenticity
societal pressure
childhood
identity
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- school environment
- family discussions
- peer groups
- media influence
- career choices
Key Concepts
Social conditioning
personal truth
creative freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- What truth are you willing to keep?
- How can you support a child's authentic voice?
A Different Perspective
Changing attitudes may suppress individuality and creativity.