--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not feed children on maudlin…" description: "\"Do not feed children on maudlin sentimentalism or dogmatic religion; give them nature... Do not terrify them in early life with the fear of an after-wo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/luther-burbank-8576_atheism_do-not-feed-children-on-maudlin-sentimen_454484.jpg" --- # Do not feed children on maudlin sentimentalism or dogmatic… ![“Do not feed children on maudlin sentimentalism or dogmatic religion; give them nature... Do not terrify them in early life with the fear of an after-world. Never was a child made more noble and good by the fear of a hell.” quote by Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/luther-burbank-8576_atheism_do-not-feed-children-on-maudlin-sentimen_454484.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/luther-burbank-8576_atheism_do-not-feed-children-on-maudlin-sentimen_454484.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ed/luther-burbank-8576_atheism_do-not-feed-children-on-maudlin-sentimen_454484.jpg) > “Do not feed children on maudlin sentimentalism or dogmatic religion; give them nature... Do not terrify them in early life with the fear of an after-world. Never was a child made more noble and good by the fear of a hell.” [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages raising children with curiosity and natural wonder rather than fear or rigid doctrine. **In simple terms:** Raise kids with nature, not fear or dogma. Key Takeaway Foster curiosity, avoid fear‑based teachings. Themes education childhood nature religion fear Mood reflective inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical ethical educational When to use this quote - parenting - school curricula - family discussions - community programs Key Concepts humanism developmental psychology secularism Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance moral guidance with freedom from fear? - What role does nature play in moral development? A Different Perspective May overlook the comfort some find in structured belief systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Early life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/early-life/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noble/) [Rage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rage/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Do not feed children on maudlin sentimentalism or dogmatic religion; give them nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/do-not-feed-children-on-maudlin-sentimentalism-or-dogmatic-religion-2/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Religion grows with the intelligence of man, but all religions of the past and probably all of the future will sooner or later become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/religion-grows-with-the-intelligence-of-man-but-all-religions-of-the/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Art itself, in all its methods, is the child of religion. The highest and best works in architecture, sculpture and painting, poetry and music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/art-itself-in-all-its-methods-is-the-child-of-religion-the-highest/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [Because Christianity is a religion of death, it could be treated with the utmost realism, and it could have its orgies, just likethe old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/because-christianity-is-a-religion-of-death-it-could-be-treated-with/) [Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/) > [Not the Christian religion only, but nature herself, cries out against the state of slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-x/not-the-christian-religion-only-but-nature-herself-cries-out-against/) [Pope Leo X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-x/) > [Until we understand the essence and difference between religion and nature, reality will always elude us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/until-we-understand-the-essence-and-difference-between-religion-and/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [Herbalism is a religion of nature, representing a balance of head and heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tierra/herbalism-is-a-religion-of-nature-representing-a-balance-of-head-and/) Michael Tierra > [“The only religion which is against nature, against common sense and against our pleasures is the only one which has always existed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-only-religion-which-is-against-nature-against-common-sense-and/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [My religion is nature. That’s what arouses those feelings of wonder and mysticism and gratitude in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sacks/my-religion-is-nature-that-s-what-arouses-those-feelings-of-wonder/) [Oliver Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sacks/) > [The earth is literally our mother, not only because we depend on her for nurture and shelter but even more because the human sepcies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-dubos/the-earth-is-literally-our-mother-not-only-because-we-depend-on-her/) [Rene Dubos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-dubos/) > [The fear of hell is the basis for the Christian faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madalyn-murray-o-hair/the-fear-of-hell-is-the-basis-for-the-christian-faith/) [Madalyn Murray O'Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madalyn-murray-o-hair/) > [“I have licked the fire and danced in the ashes of every bridge I ever burned. I fear no hell from you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-lyons/i-have-licked-the-fire-and-danced-in-the-ashes-of-every-bridge-i-ever/) [Nicole Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-lyons/) > [“Love God more than you fear hell. Make major decisions in a cemetery. When no one is watching, live as if someone is. Succeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/love-god-more-than-you-fear-hell-make-major-decisions-in-a-cemetery/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [In monasteries, seminaries, retreats and synagogues, they fear hell and seek paradise. Those who know the mysteries of God never let that seed be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-khayy-m/in-monasteries-seminaries-retreats-and-synagogues-they-fear-hell-and/) [Omar Khayyam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-khayy-m/) > [I'm what is known as gradually disintegrating. I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/i-m-what-is-known-as-gradually-disintegrating-i-don-t-fear-the-next/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) ## More by Luther Burbank > [If we cannot meet our everyday surroundings with equanimity and pleasure and grow each day in some useful direction, then... life is on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/if-we-cannot-meet-our-everyday-surroundings-with-equanimity-and/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Let us read the Bible without the ill-fitting colored spectacles of theology, just as we read other books, using our judgment and reason. . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/let-us-read-the-bible-without-the-ill-fitting-colored-spectacles-of/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Plants are as responsive to thought as children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/plants-are-as-responsive-to-thought-as-children/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Science . . . has opened our eyes to the vastness of the universe and given us light, truth and freedom from fear where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/science-has-opened-our-eyes-to-the-vastness-of-the-universe-and-given/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [For those who do not think, it is best at least to rearrange their prejudices once in a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/for-those-who-do-not-think-it-is-best-at-least-to-rearrange-their/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [The greatest happiness in the world is to make others happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/the-greatest-happiness-in-the-world-is-to-make-others-happy/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Heredity is nothing but stored environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/heredity-is-nothing-but-stored-environment/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/flowers-always-make-people-better-happier-and-more-helpful-they-are/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Religion grows with the intelligence of man, but all religions of the past and probably all of the future will sooner or later become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/religion-grows-with-the-intelligence-of-man-but-all-religions-of-the/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Justice, love, truth, peace and harmony, a serene unity with science and the laws of the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/justice-love-truth-peace-and-harmony-a-serene-unity-with-science-and/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Our lives as we lead them as passed on to others, whether in physical or mental forms, tingeing all future lives together. This should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/our-lives-as-we-lead-them-as-passed-on-to-others-whether-in-physical/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [We must return to nature and nature's god.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/we-must-return-to-nature-and-nature-s-god/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [The idea that a good God would send people to a burning hell is utterly damnable to me - the raving of insanity, superstition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/the-idea-that-a-good-god-would-send-people-to-a-burning-hell-is/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Science is the only savior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/science-is-the-only-savior/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [“We must learn that any person who will not accept what he knows to be truth for the very love of truth alone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/we-must-learn-that-any-person-who-will-not-accept-what-he-knows-to-be/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) [Explore all 79 Luther Burbank quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. 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Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. 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