Children Quote by Patrick O'Brian
““I was talking about children that have not been properly house-trained. Left to their own impulses and indulged by doting or careless parents almost all children are yahoos. Loud, selfish, cruel, unaffectionate, jealous, perpetually striving for attention, empty-headed, for ever prating or if words fail them simply bawling, their voices grown huge from daily practice: the very worst company in the world. But what I dislike even more than the natural child is the affected child, the hulking oaf of seven or eight that skips heavily about with her hands dangling in front of her -- a little squirrel or bunny-rabbit -- and prattling away in a baby's voice.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian, 1969
Untrained children, left unchecked, become noisy, selfish, and attention‑seeking, while affected children mimic adult affectations, resulting in irritating behavior.
In simple terms: Children lacking guidance become noisy and selfish; affected children imitate adult affectations.
Key Takeaway
Provide consistent guidance and model respectful behavior.
Themes
parenting
behavior
socialization
Mood
frustrated
concerned
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- family meals
- school classrooms
- playdates
- parent‑child interactions
Key Concepts
developmental psychology
imitation
attention seeking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents balance discipline with empathy?
- What strategies reduce attention‑seeking behavior?
A Different Perspective
Children may still resist guidance despite effort.
