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Child Quote by Orison Swett Marden

“The first duty we owe a child is to teach him to fling out his inborn gladness and joy with the same freedom and abandon as the bobolink does when it makes the meadow joyous with its song. Suppression of the fun-loving nature of a child means the suppression of its mental and moral faculties. Joy…” quote by Orison Swett Marden
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““The first duty we owe a child is to teach him to fling out his inborn gladness and joy with the same freedom and abandon as the bobolink does when it makes the meadow joyous with its song. Suppression of the fun-loving nature of a child means the suppression of its mental and moral faculties. Joy will go out of the heart of a child after a while if he is continually suppressed.””

Orison Swett Marden

About This Quote

Source Book: Pushing to the Limits by Orison Swett Marden, 1910

Children must be allowed to express natural joy and freedom; stifling this harms their mental and moral development.

In simple terms: Let kids be joyful and free.

Key Takeaway

Encourage playful expression.

Themes

child development joy freedom education

Mood

hopeful concerned

Type

advisory inspirational

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • school curricula
  • after‑school programs
  • family activities

Key Concepts

psychology humanistic education emotional health

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does play affect learning?
  • What signs show a child’s joy is being suppressed?
A Different Perspective

Suppressing joy can lead to long‑term disengagement and resentment.

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