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Children Quote by Halldór Laxness

“The tyranny of mankind; it was like the obstinate drip of water falling on a stone and hollowing it little by little; and this drip continued, falling obstinately, falling without pause on the souls of the children.” quote by Halldór Laxness
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“The tyranny of mankind; it was like the obstinate drip of water falling on a stone and hollowing it little by little; and this drip continued, falling obstinately, falling without pause on the souls of the children.”

Halldór Laxness

About This Quote

Source Novel: Independent People, 1946

Human oppression can be relentless and slow, eroding souls over time like persistent water wearing away stone.

In simple terms: Oppression slowly erodes people.

Key Takeaway

Beware of subtle, ongoing harms.

Themes

oppression resilience human nature

Mood

somber urgent

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • social activism
  • mental health awareness
  • education about rights

Key Concepts

systemic abuse psychological wear intergenerational trauma

Questions to Reflect On

  • What small actions can resist this slow erosion?
  • How can societies recognize and halt such gradual harm?
A Different Perspective

Change can be difficult when oppression is normalized.

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