Adult life Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
““There are no dirty words in this book, except for 'hell' and 'God', in case someone is fearing that an innocent child might see 1...Perhaps the only precept taught me by Grandfather Wills that I have honoured all my adult life is that profanity and obsceny entitle people who don't want unpleasant information to close their eyes and ears to you.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Cat's Cradle, 1963
The quote highlights that profanity is used to shield people from uncomfortable truths, and that such censorship reflects fear rather than moral superiority.
In simple terms: Profanity hides truth; people use it to avoid discomfort.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when language is used to block information.
Themes
censorship
truth
communication
fear
morality
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- media consumption
- public speaking
Key Concepts
Social psychology
language control
ethical boundaries
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you use profanity to protect yourself or others?
- When is it appropriate to censor language?
A Different Perspective
Censorship can also protect vulnerable audiences from harmful content.
![“Thomas Jefferson High School [..] His high school was named after a slave owner who was also one of the world’s greatest theoreticians on the subject of human liberty.” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73a/kurt-vonnegut-41_freedom_thomas-jefferson-high-school-his-high-sc_9727.jpg)
