Fantasy Quote by Bernard Cornwell
““Poor Uther. He believed that virtues are handed down through a man's loins! What nonsense! A child is like a calf; if the thing is born crippled you knock it smartly on the skull and serve the cow again. That's why the Gods made it such a pleasure to engender children, because so many of the little brutes have to be replaced. There's not much pleasure in the process for women, of course, but someone has to suffer and thank the Gods it's them and not us.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell, 2004
The speaker mocks hereditary virtue, suggesting children are flawed and must be harshly corrected, reflecting a brutal view of reproduction.
In simple terms: Hereditary virtue is mocked; children are seen as flawed.
Key Takeaway
Challenge assumptions about inherited virtue.
Themes
heritage
violence
gender
Mood
grim
provocative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family dynamics
- parenting
- gender roles
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
Hereditary virtue
human suffering
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the moral implications of this view?
- How does this reflect societal attitudes toward gender?
A Different Perspective
Harsh attitudes can dehumanize and cause suffering.
