Belief Quote by Hypathia of Alexandria
““Fables should be taught as fables, myths as myths, and miracles as poetic fancies. To teach superstitions as truths is a most terrible thing. The child mind accepts and believes them, and only through great pain and perhaps tragedy can he be in after years relieved of them. In fact, men will fight for a superstition quite as quickly as for a living truth — often more so, since a superstition is so intangible you cannot get at it to refute it, but truth is a point of view, and so is changeable.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Ancient Greek teachings, 4th century BCE
Teach myths, fables, and miracles in their proper categories to avoid misleading children with false truths.
In simple terms: Present stories as they are, not as facts.
Key Takeaway
Separate fact from fiction in education.
Themes
education
mythology
critical thinking
truth
fiction
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- parental guidance
- media literacy
Key Concepts
categorization
epistemology
pedagogy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster critical thinking early?
- What role does culture play in myth acceptance?
A Different Perspective
Children may still internalize myths despite warnings.
![“No theory is too false, no fable too absurd, no superstition too degrading for acceptance when it has become embedded in common belief. Men will submit themselves to torture and to death, mothers will immolate [burn] their children at the bidding of beliefs they thus accept.” quote by Henry George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68e/henry-george-8103_absurd_no-theory-is-too-false-no-fable-too-absu_70212.jpg)
