Citizens Quote by Flann O'brien
““...is there any body of citizens in the country who actually welcome and enjoy a General Election?..YES. Those citizens are schoolchildren...attending national schools. It may be very cynical, but on the appointed day those Lyceums of lower learning are turned into polling stations, the homes of innocence temporarily become part of the grim apparatus of politics and the scheming of sundry chancers.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Irish Times, 1945
The writer cynically observes that children become unwitting participants in elections, turning innocence into a political tool.
In simple terms: Children are used as convenient polling stations, exposing manipulation.
Key Takeaway
Beware of how institutions exploit innocence for political ends.
Themes
political cynicism
manipulation
education
Mood
reflective
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
political
social
When to use this quote
- reading political essays
- examining voter turnout
- discussing ethics of polling locations
Key Concepts
electoral process
youth exploitation
social engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- How does using schools as polling places affect democratic engagement?
- What responsibilities do societies have to protect youthful innocence?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook genuine civic education benefits.
![“I am your soul and all your souls. When I am gone you are dead. Past humanity is not only implicit in each new man born but is contained in him,[...] All humanity from its beginning to its end is already present but the beam has not yet played beyond you! [...] You are not the top of your people's…” quote by Flann O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f2a/flann-o-brien-6916_soul_i-am-your-soul-and-all-your-souls-when-i_105303.jpg)
