--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...‘Beetles, black beetles’ – his father…" description: "\"“...‘Beetles, black beetles’ – his father had a really passionate feeling about the clergy. Mumbo-jumbery was another of his favourite words. An atheis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/aldous-huxley-97_old-school_beetles-black-beetles-his-father-had-a-r_2678481.jpg" --- # ...‘Beetles, black beetles’ – his father had a really… ![“...‘Beetles, black beetles’ – his father had a really passionate feeling about the clergy. Mumbo-jumbery was another of his favourite words. An atheist and an anti-clerical of the strict old school he was.” quote by Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/aldous-huxley-97_old-school_beetles-black-beetles-his-father-had-a-r_2678481.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/aldous-huxley-97_old-school_beetles-black-beetles-his-father-had-a-r_2678481.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/aldous-huxley-97_old-school_beetles-black-beetles-his-father-had-a-r_2678481.jpg) > ““...‘Beetles, black beetles’ – his father had a really passionate feeling about the clergy. Mumbo-jumbery was another of his favourite words. An atheist and an anti-clerical of the strict old school he was.”” [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## 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 sat the protagonist’s father’s disdain for religious authority and his love of absurd language, highlighting anti‑clerical sentiment. **In simple terms:** Father dislikes clergy, loves odd words. Key Takeaway Question authority, embrace rationalism. Themes skepticism anti‑clericalism family dynamics Mood ironic critical thoughtful Type literary philosophical satirical When to use this quote - personal upbringing - political discourse - literary analysis - cultural commentary Key Concepts existentialism language play social critique Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape our perception of authority? - What role does humor play in criticism? A Different Perspective The view may overlook positive community aspects of faith. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anti Clerical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anti-clerical-1440006/) [Beetles Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beetles-black-2561032/) [Beetles Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beetles-father-2561029/) [Clergy Mumbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clergy-mumbo-2561030/) [Feeling Clergy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-clergy-2561031/) [Old school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-school/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [It also happens to me that when I meet a clericalist, I suddenly become anti-clerical. Clericalism should not have anything to do with Christianity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/it-also-happens-to-me-that-when-i-meet-a-clericalist-i-suddenly/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I always like to associate with a lot of priests because it makes me understand anti-clerical things so well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/i-always-like-to-associate-with-a-lot-of-priests-because-it-makes-me/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [It's very rare that an older comedian sort of slips into an old-school clunker. You know, you don't hear too much of that anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/it-s-very-rare-that-an-older-comedian-sort-of-slips-into-an-old/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [I like Kelela. I like Twigs. I love the more old school; I hate to say old school, but I love Peaches; I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neneh-cherry/i-like-kelela-i-like-twigs-i-love-the-more-old-school-i-hate-to-say/) [Neneh Cherry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neneh-cherry/) > [I like to be like the old-school guys. They played hard, man, and they played from the heart. They didn't play to just get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-crawford/i-like-to-be-like-the-old-school-guys-they-played-hard-man-and-they/) [Carl Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-crawford/) > [I am a bit old-school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-kay/i-am-a-bit-old-school/) [Jay Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-kay/) > [If you call 'Rapper's Delight' an old-school record, I agree with you. If you call Sugar Hill Gang old school, I agree with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-daddy-kane/if-you-call-rapper-s-delight-an-old-school-record-i-agree-with-you-if/) [Big Daddy Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-daddy-kane/) > [I'm an old school guy and love the guys in the monster suits and JAWS; even though everyone makes fun of the shark I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-fessenden/i-m-an-old-school-guy-and-love-the-guys-in-the-monster-suits-and-jaws/) [Larry Fessenden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-fessenden/) > [I'm old school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-old-school/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ The most recent incarnation of \[Bob\] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan-has-been-the-traveling/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I wanted to do a talk show that reminded me of the old school ones I loved as a kid, without all the fake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-wanted-to-do-a-talk-show-that-reminded-me-of-the-old-school-ones-i/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [“Whatand why were never questions for me. How was the only question. When I look back now, I realize that I never thought about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadhguru/whatand-why-were-never-questions-for-me-how-was-the-only-question/) [Sadhguru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadhguru/) > [It's bluesy, rocky jazz. I call it soul music, but it's not James Brown soul music. It comes from my soul. It comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsel-korey/it-s-bluesy-rocky-jazz-i-call-it-soul-music-but-it-s-not-james-brown/) [Tinsel Korey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsel-korey/) > [When a very tough, old school leader announced that I was his pick to be Chief of Station in a small but important frontier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/when-a-very-tough-old-school-leader-announced-that-i-was-his-pick-to/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [Im not bold legged but old school like red fox. My favorite colour in my hustle days was red tops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/im-not-bold-legged-but-old-school-like-red-fox-my-favorite-colour-in/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) ## More by Aldous Huxley > [“Unorthodoxy threatens more than the life of a mere individual; it strikes at Society itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/unorthodoxy-threatens-more-than-the-life-of-a-mere-individual-it/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [My fate cannot be mastered; it can only be collaborated with and thereby, to some extent, directed. Nor am I the captain of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/my-fate-cannot-be-mastered-it-can-only-be-collaborated-with-and/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Impulse arrested spills over, and the flood is feeling, the flood is passion, the flood is even madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/impulse-arrested-spills-over-and-the-flood-is-feeling-the-flood-is/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“The question for the man of sense is: Do we or do we not want to go to hell? And his answer is: No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-question-for-the-man-of-sense-is-do-we-or-do-we-not-want-to-go-to/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“I’ll MAKE you be free whether you want to or not.’ -The Savage”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/i-ll-make-you-be-free-whether-you-want-to-or-not-the-savage/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Thought of the incomprehensible sequence of changes and chances that make up a life, all the beauties and horrors and absurdities whose conjunctions create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/thought-of-the-incomprehensible-sequence-of-changes-and-chances-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [The third petition of the Lord's Prayer is repeated daily by millions who have not the slightest intention of letting anyone's will be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-third-petition-of-the-lord-s-prayer-is-repeated-daily-by-millions/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Then what’s time for?” asked Lenina in some astonishment. Apparently, for going on walks in the Lake District; for that was what he now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/then-what-s-time-for-asked-lenina-in-some-astonishment-apparently-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [All right then," said the Savage defiantly, "I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/all-right-then-said-the-savage-defiantly-i-m-claiming-the-right-to-be/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/speed-it-seems-to-me-provides-the-one-genuinely-modern-pleasure/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“What you need is a gramme of soma.” “All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/what-you-need-is-a-gramme-of-soma-all-the-advantages-of-christianity/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [To be enlightened is to be aware, always, of total reality in its immanent otherness - to be aware of it and yet remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/to-be-enlightened-is-to-be-aware-always-of-total-reality-in-its/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Quote of the day:Quote of the day: A democracy which makes or even effectively prepares for modern, scientific war must necessarily cease to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/quote-of-the-day-quote-of-the-day-a-democracy-which-makes-or-even/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) [Explore all 1,291 Aldous Huxley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## More Old school quotes > [Im not bold legged but old school like red fox. My favorite colour in my hustle days was red tops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/im-not-bold-legged-but-old-school-like-red-fox-my-favorite-colour-in/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) > [When a very tough, old school leader announced that I was his pick to be Chief of Station in a small but important frontier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-haspel/when-a-very-tough-old-school-leader-announced-that-i-was-his-pick-to/) [Gina Haspel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-haspel/) > [It's bluesy, rocky jazz. I call it soul music, but it's not James Brown soul music. It comes from my soul. It comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsel-korey/it-s-bluesy-rocky-jazz-i-call-it-soul-music-but-it-s-not-james-brown/) [Tinsel Korey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsel-korey/) > [“Whatand why were never questions for me. How was the only question. When I look back now, I realize that I never thought about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadhguru/whatand-why-were-never-questions-for-me-how-was-the-only-question/) [Sadhguru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadhguru/) > [I wanted to do a talk show that reminded me of the old school ones I loved as a kid, without all the fake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-wanted-to-do-a-talk-show-that-reminded-me-of-the-old-school-ones-i/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [ The most recent incarnation of \[Bob\] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan-has-been-the-traveling/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I'm old school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-old-school/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm an old school guy and love the guys in the monster suits and JAWS; even though everyone makes fun of the shark I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-fessenden/i-m-an-old-school-guy-and-love-the-guys-in-the-monster-suits-and-jaws/) [Larry Fessenden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-fessenden/) > [If you call 'Rapper's Delight' an old-school record, I agree with you. If you call Sugar Hill Gang old school, I agree with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-daddy-kane/if-you-call-rapper-s-delight-an-old-school-record-i-agree-with-you-if/) [Big Daddy Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-daddy-kane/) > [I am a bit old-school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-kay/i-am-a-bit-old-school/) [Jay Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-kay/) > [I like to be like the old-school guys. They played hard, man, and they played from the heart. They didn't play to just get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-crawford/i-like-to-be-like-the-old-school-guys-they-played-hard-man-and-they/) [Carl Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-crawford/) > [I like Kelela. I like Twigs. I love the more old school; I hate to say old school, but I love Peaches; I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neneh-cherry/i-like-kelela-i-like-twigs-i-love-the-more-old-school-i-hate-to-say/) [Neneh Cherry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neneh-cherry/) > [It's very rare that an older comedian sort of slips into an old-school clunker. You know, you don't hear too much of that anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/it-s-very-rare-that-an-older-comedian-sort-of-slips-into-an-old/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [I know Camberwell very well: I used to go to Camberwell New Baths a lot and the cinema, which used to be the Odeon.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simonon/i-know-camberwell-very-well-i-used-to-go-to-camberwell-new-baths-a/) [Paul Simonon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simonon/) > [It's going back to old school, the way it was done and I'm finding out there is something different, a little interesting. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-tillman-jr/it-s-going-back-to-old-school-the-way-it-was-done-and-i-m-finding-out/) [George Tillman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-tillman-jr/) [Browse all 508 Old school quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-school/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...‘Beetles, black beetles’ – his father had a really passionate feeling about the clergy. Mumbo-jumbery was another of his favourite words. 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