--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact that boys are allowed to exist…" description: "\"The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of remarkable Christian forbearance among men - were it not for a mawkish humanitarianism, c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/ambrose-bierce-140_boys_the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist_1400874.jpg" --- # The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence… ![“The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of remarkable Christian forbearance among men - were it not for a mawkish humanitarianism, coupled with imperfect digestive powers, we should devour our young, as Nature intended.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/ambrose-bierce-140_boys_the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist_1400874.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/ambrose-bierce-140_boys_the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist_1400874.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/ambrose-bierce-140_boys_the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist_1400874.jpg) > “The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of remarkable Christian forbearance among men - were it not for a mawkish humanitarianism, coupled with imperfect digestive powers, we should devour our young, as Nature intended.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human beings tolerate children's existence only through extreme patience; without it we would act on natural predatory instincts. **In simple terms:** Patience lets us protect the vulnerable. Key Takeaway Practice patience and compassion. Themes humanity patience nature morality Mood reflective critical philosophical Type advice observation philosophical When to use this quote - parenting - education - policy making - community building Key Concepts ethical restraint human nature social contract Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance natural instincts with moral duties? - What limits does patience have in protecting the vulnerable? A Different Perspective Patience may be insufficient when systemic oppression exists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Forbearance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forbearance/) [Humanitarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanitarianism/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of a remarkable Christian forebearance among men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist-at-all-is-evidence-of-a/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-is-the-mutual-duty-of-all-to-practice-christian-forbearance-love/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [It is remarkable with what Christian fortitude and resignation we can bear the suffering of other folks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/it-is-remarkable-with-what-christian-fortitude-and-resignation-we-can/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Ok BOYS, class is now in session...lessons 1 thru forever...ALWAYS give us what we want \*wink\* No Boys Allowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keri-hilson/ok-boys-class-is-now-in-session-lessons-1-thru-forever-always-give-us/) [Keri Hilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keri-hilson/) > [When I was a junior, boys were allowed to come visit me at the house. We could sit on the porch until about 8…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisy-fuentes/when-i-was-a-junior-boys-were-allowed-to-come-visit-me-at-the-house/) [Daisy Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisy-fuentes/) > [“And right after your ABC’s you learn that God created everyone equal, pink is not just a girl’s color, and boys are allowed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-curtis/and-right-after-your-abc-s-you-learn-that-god-created-everyone-equal/) [Emily Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-curtis/) > [“We made this stupid rule and this stupid rule. Boys are not allowed to love each other. Then we painted a bison on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-smith/we-made-this-stupid-rule-and-this-stupid-rule-boys-are-not-allowed-to/) [Andrew Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-smith/) > [Derek looked at Kylie and half chuckled. "The last time I saw that look from girls, there was a handwritten note on my neighbor's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-hunter/derek-looked-at-kylie-and-half-chuckled-the-last-time-i-saw-that-look/) [C.C. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-c-hunter/) > [...the more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves. If you never let them take any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/the-more-risks-you-allow-children-to-take-the-better-they-learn-to/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [LOGANIMITY, n. The disposition to endure injury with meek forbearance while maturing a plan of revenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/loganimity-n-the-disposition-to-endure-injury-with-meek-forbearance/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [...the framers of our Constitution never exhausted so much labor, wisdom and forbearance in its formation if it was intended to be broken up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/the-framers-of-our-constitution-never-exhausted-so-much-labor-wisdom/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of tolerance, with forbearance one for another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/we-must-work-harder-to-build-mutual-respect-an-attitude-of-tolerance/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/love-should-be-the-silver-thread-that-runs-through-all-your-conduct/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Boys quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) MrAwesome > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [She had been dragged in the most humiliating of all dusts, the dust reserved for older women who let themselves be approached, on amorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/she-had-been-dragged-in-the-most-humiliating-of-all-dusts-the-dust/) [Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) [Browse all 7,168 Boys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of remarkable Christian forbearance among men - were it not for a mawkish humanitarianism, coupled with imperfect digestive powers, we should devour our young, as Nature intended.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist-at-all-is-evidence-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boys" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist-at-all-is-evidence-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/ambrose-bierce-140_boys_the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist_1400874.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/ambrose-bierce-140_boys_the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist_1400874.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/ambrose-bierce-140_boys_the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist_1400874.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of remarkable Christian forbearance among men…” — Ambrose Bierce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The fact that boys are allowed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist-at-all-is-evidence-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/the-fact-that-boys-are-allowed-to-exist-at-all-is-evidence-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```