--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: According to our minister, Mr. Cornelius…" description: "\"“According to our minister, Mr. Cornelius Barker, presents were a pointless, expensive, pagan diversion. Yes, well, good luck explaining that to seven ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/057/anonymous-1_children_according-to-our-minister-mr-cornelius-b_646622.jpg" --- # According to our minister, Mr. Cornelius Barker, presents… ![“According to our minister, Mr. Cornelius Barker, presents were a pointless, expensive, pagan diversion. Yes, well, good luck explaining that to seven children.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/057/anonymous-1_children_according-to-our-minister-mr-cornelius-b_646622.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/057/anonymous-1_children_according-to-our-minister-mr-cornelius-b_646622.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/057/anonymous-1_children_according-to-our-minister-mr-cornelius-b_646622.jpg) > ““According to our minister, Mr. Cornelius Barker, presents were a pointless, expensive, pagan diversion. Yes, well, good luck explaining that to seven children.”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authority can dismiss the value of play, yet children naturally seek imagination and wonder. **In simple terms:** Adults may undervalue play. Key Takeaway Value creative expression for all ages. Themes education creativity authority Mood critical inquisitive Type cultural educational When to use this quote - school curricula - parenting - media consumption Key Concepts pedagogy cultural criticism Questions to Reflect On - Why do some societies prioritize work over play? - How can we balance seriousness with imagination? A Different Perspective The quote assumes a universal disdain for play that may not hold across cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barker Presents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barker-presents-5180859/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Expensive Pagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expensive-pagan-5180860/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [Good luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-luck/) [Presents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presents/) [Presents Pointless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presents-pointless-5180858/) [Seven Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seven-children-469906/) ## Related quotes > [Let's get real for a moment. The true meaning of Christmas is presents. Nothing else. Presents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-s-get-real-for-a-moment-the-true-meaning-of-christmas-is-presents/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He is the channels of my TV He is the pages of my book He is the key to my door He is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-is-the-channels-of-my-tv-he-is-the-pages-of-my-book-he-is-the-key/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm happy with the way everyone presents themselves onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-happy-with-the-way-everyone-presents-themselves-onstage/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Being present in the present, presents us with many presents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-present-in-the-present-presents-us-with-many-presents/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the best things in life...wrapping presents for Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-best-things-in-life-wrapping-presents-for-christmas/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is more blessed to give than receive; for example, wedding presents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-more-blessed-to-give-than-receive-for-example-wedding-presents/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Family & friends are presents we are given. Thank you for being such a gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/family-friends-are-presents-we-are-given-thank-you-for-being-such-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. "It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/christmas-won-t-be-christmas-without-any-presents-grumbled-jo-lying-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its not the presents that make Christmas so special, its the presence of those you love. Whether they are with you in person or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-not-the-presents-that-make-christmas-so-special-its-the-presence/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“This holiday season I learned the vue if presence over presents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-holiday-season-i-learned-the-vue-if-presence-over-presents/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Teacher: 'What is the true meaning of Christmas?' Me: 'Jesus birthday' \*clearly its about presents and being cute\*](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/teacher-what-is-the-true-meaning-of-christmas-me-jesus-birthday/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cat's don't expect birthday presents, they think they already own everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/cat-s-don-t-expect-birthday-presents-they-think-they-already-own/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our children need our presence, not our presents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-children-need-our-presence-not-our-presents/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All I Want For Christmas Is You! LOL jk. I want my presents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-lol-jk-i-want-my-presents/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I come and stand at every door But none can hear my silent tread I knock and yet remain unseen For I am dead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naz-m-hikmet/i-come-and-stand-at-every-door-but-none-can-hear-my-silent-tread-i/) [Nazim Hikmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naz-m-hikmet/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. You are surrounded by nature - cats, dogs, birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/my-school-was-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-a-child-can-grow-up-in/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) [Browse all 62,396 Children quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“According to our minister, Mr. Cornelius Barker, presents were a pointless, expensive, pagan diversion. 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