--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As children we are taught, \"Sticks and…" description: "\"“As children we are taught, \"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me!\" As adults we teach those same words to our own children..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/bryan-oftedahl-84493_children_as-children-we-are-taught-sticks-and-sto_3087432.jpg" --- # As children we are taught, "Sticks and stones may break my… ![“As children we are taught, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me!" As adults we teach those same words to our own children while simultaneously we sue one another for defamation. Ah, the naked leading the blind.” quote by Bryan Oftedahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/bryan-oftedahl-84493_children_as-children-we-are-taught-sticks-and-sto_3087432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/bryan-oftedahl-84493_children_as-children-we-are-taught-sticks-and-sto_3087432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cc/bryan-oftedahl-84493_children_as-children-we-are-taught-sticks-and-sto_3087432.jpg) > ““As children we are taught, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me!" As adults we teach those same words to our own children while simultaneously we sue one another for defamation. Ah, the naked leading the blind.”” Bryan Oftedahl ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights hypocrisy of teaching children words can't hurt while adults use legal threats. **In simple terms:** Words can hurt; adults often misuse that. Key Takeaway Recognize and change harmful double standards. Themes hypocrisy communication law Mood critical reflective Type commentary satirical When to use this quote - parenting - media - legal disputes - online harassment Key Concepts ethics social norms Questions to Reflect On - How do we teach children about verbal harm? - What alternatives to lawsuits exist? A Different Perspective Legal action may not resolve emotional harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Hypocrisy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Sticks and stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sticks-and-stones/) ## Related quotes > [“As children we are taught, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me!" 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It is as important as the words of children. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-childs/it-is-as-true-as-breath-it-is-as-important-as-the-words-of-children/) [Craig Childs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-childs/) > [Good words will not give me back my children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chief-joseph/good-words-will-not-give-me-back-my-children/) [Chief Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chief-joseph/) > [Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Children usually learn more from the examples set by their elders than from what they are told; A persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/actions-speak-louder-than-words-children-usually-learn-more-from-the/) Pacifiersucker > [One of the things that I learned at a very young age is the power of a parent's words to their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-gokey/one-of-the-things-that-i-learned-at-a-very-young-age-is-the-power-of/) [Danny Gokey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-gokey/) > [“By the time they are 4 years old, children from poor families have heard 32 million fewer words than children with professional parents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-hart/by-the-time-they-are-4-years-old-children-from-poor-families-have/) Betty Hart > [Most people understand that the more words children are exposed to, the stronger their vocabularies will be. 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