Adults Quote by Mark Twain
“Thou shalt not commit adultry is a command which makes no distinction between the following persons. They are all required to obey it: children at birth. Children in the cradle. School children. Youths and maidens. Fresh adults. Older ones. Men and women of 40. Of 50. Of 60. Of 70. Of 80. Of 100. The command does not distribute its burden equally, and cannot. It is not hard upon the three sets of children.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Moral Hypocrisy in Society, 1885
The quote satirically lists every age group forced to obey a universal command against adultery, highlighting the unequal burden and absurdity of moral laws.
In simple terms: Moral laws are applied unevenly across ages, exposing hypocrisy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge unfair moral expectations.
Themes
ethics
society
law
hypocrisy
Mood
critical
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family counseling
- legal reform
- educational curricula
- public policy debates
Key Concepts
social critique
legal inequality
age discrimination
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Who decides moral rules?
- How can laws be applied fairly?
A Different Perspective
The statement may ignore cultural variations and personal autonomy.
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
