--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is unlikely that someone could…" description: "\"It is unlikely that someone could proclaim \"truths\" that are counter to physical laws for very long (for example, that it is healthy for children to ru..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/alice-miller-3713_appearing_it-is-unlikely-that-someone-could-procla_2449621.jpg" --- # It is unlikely that someone could proclaim "truths" that… ![“It is unlikely that someone could proclaim "truths" that are counter to physical laws for very long (for example, that it is healthy for children to run around in bathing suits in winter and in fur coats in summer) without appearing ridiculous. But it is perfectly normal to speak of the necessity…” quote by Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/alice-miller-3713_appearing_it-is-unlikely-that-someone-could-procla_2449621.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/alice-miller-3713_appearing_it-is-unlikely-that-someone-could-procla_2449621.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/alice-miller-3713_appearing_it-is-unlikely-that-someone-could-procla_2449621.jpg) > “It is unlikely that someone could proclaim "truths" that are counter to physical laws for very long (for example, that it is healthy for children to run around in bathing suits in winter and in fur coats in summer) without appearing ridiculous. But it is perfectly normal to speak of the necessity of striking and humiliating children and robbing them of their autonomy, at the same time using such high-sounding words as chastising, upbringing, and guiding onto the right path.” [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement argues that while absurd claims are quickly dismissed, harmful practices toward children are often normalized using euphemistic language, exposing societal double standards. **In simple terms:** Society tolerates harmful child treatment under polite terms. Key Takeaway Question the language used to justify harm. Themes childhood ethics language Mood critical concerned Type ethical social When to use this quote - parenting advice - education policy - media critique Key Concepts euphemism double standards power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What language disguises harmful actions? - How can we expose and challenge these double standards? A Different Perspective Normalization of abuse can be hidden by soft wording. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appearing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearing/) [Autonomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autonomy/) [Bathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bathing/) [Bathing suit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bathing-suit/) [Bathing suits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bathing-suits/) [Chastising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chastising/) [Chastising Upbringing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chastising-upbringing-559002/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Coats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coats/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Fur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fur/) [Fur coats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fur-coats/) [Healthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthy/) [Humiliating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humiliating/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Normal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normal/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Perfectly normal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectly-normal/) [Proclaim Truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proclaim-truths-559003/) [Ridiculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ridiculous/) [Right path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-path/) [Robbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robbing/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Suits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suits/) [Summer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/summer/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truths/) [Unlikely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlikely/) [Upbringing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upbringing/) [Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winter/) [Words Chastising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-chastising-559001/) ## Related quotes > [“You were chastising me. You may continue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-l-wilson/you-were-chastising-me-you-may-continue/) [C.L. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-l-wilson/) > [I sing to myself more than anything. I'm always chastising myself, telling myself to be better, or comforting myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-caesar/i-sing-to-myself-more-than-anything-i-m-always-chastising-myself/) [Daniel Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-caesar/) > [“And as for you, Gaelen is your uncle, your mother's beloved brother. He's your family. Learn to get along with him. You don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-l-wilson/and-as-for-you-gaelen-is-your-uncle-your-mother-s-beloved-brother-he/) [C.L. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-l-wilson/) > [“You were chastising me. You may continue.” (Lord of the Fading Lands)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-l-wilson/you-were-chastising-me-you-may-continue-lord-of-the-fading-lands/) [C.L. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-l-wilson/) > [Your pimples are the Lord's way of chastising you. Now eat your pie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/your-pimples-are-the-lord-s-way-of-chastising-you-now-eat-your-pie/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“I see myself..in those pages as she goes back and forth, enjoying simply enjoying the beauties of the moments then chastising herself for having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/i-see-myself-in-those-pages-as-she-goes-back-and-forth-enjoying/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“If you wish to serve me, as you have bloodsworn yourself to do, you must do so with honor. And that does not include…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-l-wilson/if-you-wish-to-serve-me-as-you-have-bloodsworn-yourself-to-do-you/) [C.L. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-l-wilson/) > [... until both employers' and workers' groups assume responsibility for chastising their own recalcitrant children, they can vainly bay the moon about "ignorant" and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-barnett-gilson/until-both-employers-and-workers-groups-assume-responsibility-for/) [Mary Barnett Gilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-barnett-gilson/) > [I want to get us out of a place where the veterans are chastising the new artists and vice versa. I think we should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-budden/i-want-to-get-us-out-of-a-place-where-the-veterans-are-chastising-the/) [Joe Budden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-budden/) > [“Oh my God.” She waited for the chastising sting of the mark, which acted like a behavioral-modification dog collar. When the burn didn’t come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/oh-my-god-she-waited-for-the-chastising-sting-of-the-mark-which-acted/) [Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/) > [“... After this he'll be a perfectly normal human being. And you know what stinkers they are!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-taxi-driver/after-this-he-ll-be-a-perfectly-normal-human-being-and-you-know-what/) [The taxi driver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-taxi-driver/) > [Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/mr-and-mrs-dursley-of-number-four-privet-drive-were-proud-to-say-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Divorce has taught us how to sleep with friends, sleep with enemies, and then act like its all perfectly normal in the morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/divorce-has-taught-us-how-to-sleep-with-friends-sleep-with-enemies/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [“THE BOY WHO LIVED Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/the-boy-who-lived-mr-and-mrs-dursley-of-number-four-privet-drive-were/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“She was—of course—perfectly normal— quiet and polite and reasonably intelligent and...normal and self destructive and lonely and terrified of every thing And she loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tah-the-trickster/she-was-of-course-perfectly-normal-quiet-and-polite-and-reasonably/) [Tah the Trickster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tah-the-trickster/) ## More by Alice Miller > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Wherever I look, I see signs of the commandment to honor one's parents and nowhere of a commandment that calls for the respect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/wherever-i-look-i-see-signs-of-the-commandment-to-honor-one-s-parents/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [The art of not experiencing feelings. A child can experience her feelings only when there is somebody there who accepts her fully, understands her,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/the-art-of-not-experiencing-feelings-a-child-can-experience-her/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Disrespect is the weapon of the weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/disrespect-is-the-weapon-of-the-weak/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [“Even if one ultimately risks losing all contact with oneself and merely functioning as a mask, an "as if" personality, there are always drugs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/even-if-one-ultimately-risks-losing-all-contact-with-oneself-and/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [“Thus he spent his whole life searching for his own truth, but it remained hidden to him because he had learned at a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/thus-he-spent-his-whole-life-searching-for-his-own-truth-but-it/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [“Most people do exactly the opposite. Without realizing that the past is constantly determining their present actions, they avoid learning anything about their history.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/most-people-do-exactly-the-opposite-without-realizing-that-the-past/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [People who, as children, were intellectually far beyond their parents and therefore admired by them, but who also therefore had to solve their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/people-who-as-children-were-intellectually-far-beyond-their-parents/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Parents are indeed capable of routinely torturing their children without anyone interceding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/parents-are-indeed-capable-of-routinely-torturing-their-children/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Ultimately the body will rebel. Even if it can be temporarily pacified with the help of drugs, cigarettes or medicine, it usually has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/ultimately-the-body-will-rebel-even-if-it-can-be-temporarily-pacified/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [The child has a primary need to be regarded and respected as the person he really is at any given time, and as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/the-child-has-a-primary-need-to-be-regarded-and-respected-as-the/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [For some years now, there has been proof that the devastating effects of the traumatization of children take their inevitable tollon society--a fact that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/for-some-years-now-there-has-been-proof-that-the-devastating-effects/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [“The older we get, the more difficult it is to find other people who can give us the love our parents denied us. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/the-older-we-get-the-more-difficult-it-is-to-find-other-people-who/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [It is very difficult for people to believe the simple fact that every persecutor was once a victim. Yet it should be very obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/it-is-very-difficult-for-people-to-believe-the-simple-fact-that-every/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [We don't yet know, above all, what the world might be like if children were to grow up without being subjected to humiliation, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/we-don-t-yet-know-above-all-what-the-world-might-be-like-if-children/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) [Explore all 120 Alice Miller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) ## More Appearing quotes > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I find it profoundly symbolic that I am appearing before a committee of fifteen men who will report to a legislative body of one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letty-cottin-pogrebin/i-find-it-profoundly-symbolic-that-i-am-appearing-before-a-committee/) [Letty Cottin Pogrebin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letty-cottin-pogrebin/) > [Acting is not a state of being ... but a state of appearing to be. You can't be eight times a week without going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-coward/acting-is-not-a-state-of-being-but-a-state-of-appearing-to-be-you-can/) [Noel Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) > [We owe America something because they turned us into a touring band. But at least we feel confident about appearing in Britain again now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-marriott/we-owe-america-something-because-they-turned-us-into-a-touring-band/) [Steve Marriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-marriott/) > [I stopped appearing as Dracula in 1972 because in my opinion the presentation of the character had deteriorated to such an extent, particularly bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-stopped-appearing-as-dracula-in-1972-because-in-my-opinion-the/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [It was 1988, I believe, that I met Grit. We were both appearing in a Canadian Folk Festival and as we sat backstage he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-chapin/it-was-1988-i-believe-that-i-met-grit-we-were-both-appearing-in-a/) [Tom Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-chapin/) > [I am of course getting angry if biologists try to use the general concept 'chance' in order to explain phenomena which are so typical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-paul/i-am-of-course-getting-angry-if-biologists-try-to-use-the-general/) [Wolfgang Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-paul/) > [Equity sends questions to Law. Law sends questions back to equity; Law finds it can't do this, equity finds it can't do that; neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/equity-sends-questions-to-law-law-sends-questions-back-to-equity-law/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Layering in different patterns will keep things from appearing too studied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-berkus/layering-in-different-patterns-will-keep-things-from-appearing-too/) [Nate Berkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-berkus/) > [Barbra Streisand developed overwhelming performance anxiety at the height of her career; for 27 years she refused to perform for the general public, appearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stossel/barbra-streisand-developed-overwhelming-performance-anxiety-at-the/) [Scott Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stossel/) > [How many people become abstract as a way of appearing profound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/how-many-people-become-abstract-as-a-way-of-appearing-profound/) [Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/) > [I have often seen a cat without a grin - but a grin without a cat - remember the cat kept appearing and disappearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/i-have-often-seen-a-cat-without-a-grin-but-a-grin-without-a-cat/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [We feel a lot of pressure about looking silly or appearing weak, whatever that means, or being a failure. You have to keep in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fassbender/we-feel-a-lot-of-pressure-about-looking-silly-or-appearing-weak/) [Michael Fassbender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fassbender/) > [When we developed the 'Seinfeld' show, we took a bet on Jerry Seinfeld, who was not a household name. But Jerry had a voice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-littlefield/when-we-developed-the-seinfeld-show-we-took-a-bet-on-jerry-seinfeld/) [Warren Littlefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-littlefield/) > [The practical effect of a belief is the real test of its soundness. Where we find a heroic life appearing as the uniform fruit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anthony-froude/the-practical-effect-of-a-belief-is-the-real-test-of-its-soundness/) [James Anthony Froude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anthony-froude/) [Browse all 284 Appearing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is unlikely that someone could proclaim \"truths\" that are counter to physical laws for very long (for example, that it is healthy for children to run around in bathing suits in winter and in fur coats in summer) without appearing ridiculous. 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