--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know that big people don't like…" description: "\"I know that big people don't like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they like, How's school? Are you a good boy? Did you say your..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/frank-mccourt-2576_bigs_i-know-that-big-people-don-t-like-questi_2061613.jpg" --- # I know that big people don't like questions from children… ![“I know that big people don't like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they like, How's school? Are you a good boy? Did you say your prayers? but if you ask them did they say their prayers you might be hit on the head.” quote by Frank McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/frank-mccourt-2576_bigs_i-know-that-big-people-don-t-like-questi_2061613.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/frank-mccourt-2576_bigs_i-know-that-big-people-don-t-like-questi_2061613.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/frank-mccourt-2576_bigs_i-know-that-big-people-don-t-like-questi_2061613.jpg) > “I know that big people don't like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they like, How's school? Are you a good boy? Did you say your prayers? but if you ask them did they say their prayers you might be hit on the head.” [Frank McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-mccourt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adults often dismiss children's curiosity, fearing it challenges authority, yet such questions reveal deeper truths and can provoke defensive reactions. **In simple terms:** Adults may reject kids' questions to protect their own image, sometimes reacting harshly. Key Takeaway Respect curiosity, ask gently. Themes authority curiosity power dynamics communication Mood reflective empathetic Type advice observational When to use this quote - parenting - education - family gatherings - intergenerational dialogue Key Concepts psychology social hierarchy childhood innocence Questions to Reflect On - How can we encourage respectful questioning across ages? - What fears underlie adult resistance to children's inquiries? A Different Perspective Adults may feel threatened and respond with aggression, limiting open dialogue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) ## Related quotes > [“Almost every kid asks, “Why is the sky blue?” That’s only one of the 40,000 questions that the typical child asks between the ages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/almost-every-kid-asks-why-is-the-sky-blue-that-s-only-one-of-the-40/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I don't like questions at all if they are anything like how I like my mashed potatoes: loaded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-don-t-like-questions-at-all-if-they-are-anything-like-how-i-like-my/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [In the moment of hardship, we ask why some things happen. 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Or possibly we feel something isn't important enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-know-at-times-we-feel-that-perhaps-in-our-prayers-we-ask-too-much/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“How grateful am I personally that our Savior taught we should conclude our most urgent, deeply felt prayers, when we ask for that which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/how-grateful-am-i-personally-that-our-savior-taught-we-should/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [Be strong,be kind,be generous of spirit, be understanding and let people know how grateful you are.Dont get even.Comfort the ones i've hurt and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-strong-be-kind-be-generous-of-spirit-be-understanding-and-let/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our job is to ask questions of children so that children internalize these questions and ask them of themselves and their own emerging drafts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-calkins/our-job-is-to-ask-questions-of-children-so-that-children-internalize/) [Lucy Calkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-calkins/) > [Come on! I just answered, like, eight questions!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/come-on-i-just-answered-like-eight-questions/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Like all Xhosa children, I acquired knowledge mainly through observation. 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