--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... some veil between childhood and the…" description: "\"... some veil between childhood and the present is necessary. If the veil is withdrawn, the artistic imagination sickens and dies, the prophet looks in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/margaret-mead-982_artistic_some-veil-between-childhood-and-the-pres_2938108.jpg" --- # ... some veil between childhood and the present is… ![“... some veil between childhood and the present is necessary. If the veil is withdrawn, the artistic imagination sickens and dies, the prophet looks in the mirror with a disillusioned and cynical sneer, the scientist goes fishing.” quote by Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/margaret-mead-982_artistic_some-veil-between-childhood-and-the-pres_2938108.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/margaret-mead-982_artistic_some-veil-between-childhood-and-the-pres_2938108.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/margaret-mead-982_artistic_some-veil-between-childhood-and-the-pres_2938108.jpg) > “... some veil between childhood and the present is necessary. If the veil is withdrawn, the artistic imagination sickens and dies, the prophet looks in the mirror with a disillusioned and cynical sneer, the scientist goes fishing.” [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A protective distance between childhood and adulthood preserves imagination; removing it leads to cynicism and loss of wonder. **In simple terms:** A veil keeps imagination alive; without it, people become cynical. Key Takeaway Maintain healthy boundaries between youth and adult life. Themes imagination growth psychology Mood reflective melancholic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - parenting - education - creative work - personal reflection Key Concepts development cognitive balance Questions to Reflect On - How does nostalgia affect creativity? - When is it healthy to let go of childhood wonder? A Different Perspective If the veil is too thick, growth may be stunted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artistic/) [Childhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Cynical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynical/) [Disillusioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disillusioned/) [Fishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fishing/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Mirrors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirrors/) [Prophet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophet/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) ## Related quotes > [Humility is a necessary veil to all other graces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gurnall/humility-is-a-necessary-veil-to-all-other-graces/) [William Gurnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gurnall/) > [When we get into the spirit world, and the veil is withdrawn, we shall then perhaps understand the whys and wherefores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilford-woodruff/when-we-get-into-the-spirit-world-and-the-veil-is-withdrawn-we-shall/) [Wilford Woodruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilford-woodruff/) > [She is not old, she is not young, The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue. 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