Boys Quote by James Agee
““Well we can't teach 'em, better pass 'em. Let those eradicate who can Man's inhumanity to man Through teaching boys to kiss the Flag, Keep their rooms tidy, kick a fag, Follow the leader, mind the rules, Blunt and ignore the only tools That interest the half-mature.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Man in the Moon" by James Agee, 1939
A critique of militaristic indoctrination that suppresses individuality and empathy, encouraging blind obedience and cruelty.
In simple terms: Blind obedience harms humanity.
Key Takeaway
Question conformity, foster empathy.
Themes
militarism
conformity
empathy
education
violence
Mood
critical
somber
defiant
Type
political
social
cautionary
When to use this quote
- military training
- school curricula
- youth groups
- authoritarian regimes
Key Concepts
authorialism
social conditioning
masculinity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does authority shape moral choices?
- What alternatives to violent indoctrination exist?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks positive aspects of discipline and community.
![“The passion for vengeance is a terrifyingly strong one, very easily and probably inevitably wrought up by such evidence [of atrocities], even at our distance. But however well aware I am of its strength, and that in its full immediate force and expression it is in some respects irrelevant to moral…” quote by James Agee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd6/james-agee-9167_justice_the-passion-for-vengeance-is-a-terrifyin_162590.jpg)
