--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Children are not yet fools, but we shall…" description: "\"Children are not yet fools, but we shall turn them into imbeciles like ourselves, with high I.Q.'s if possible.\" — R. D. Laing" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/r-d-laing-4861_children_children-are-not-yet-fools-but-we-shall_2054329.jpg" --- # Children are not yet fools, but we shall turn them into… ![“Children are not yet fools, but we shall turn them into imbeciles like ourselves, with high I.Q.'s if possible.” quote by R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/r-d-laing-4861_children_children-are-not-yet-fools-but-we-shall_2054329.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/r-d-laing-4861_children_children-are-not-yet-fools-but-we-shall_2054329.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/r-d-laing-4861_children_children-are-not-yet-fools-but-we-shall_2054329.jpg) > “Children are not yet fools, but we shall turn them into imbeciles like ourselves, with high I.Q.'s if possible.” [R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-laing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society can corrupt children, turning them into less rational adults, even if they are intelligent. **In simple terms:** Children can become foolish adults due to societal influence. Key Takeaway Guard children's critical thinking. Themes education psychology society development intelligence Mood concerned critical Type advisory reflective When to use this quote - parenting - school curricula - media consumption - peer groups Key Concepts social conditioning identity formation cognitive decline Questions to Reflect On - How does culture shape rationality? - What safeguards protect intellectual integrity? A Different Perspective Even intelligent children can be misled without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Dirty minds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty-minds/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) ## Related quotes > [Long before a thermonuclear war can come about, we have had to lay waste our own sanity. We begin with the children. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-d-laing/long-before-a-thermonuclear-war-can-come-about-we-have-had-to-lay/) [R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-laing/) > [For the turning away of the simple, shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-boston/for-the-turning-away-of-the-simple-shall-slay-them-and-the-prosperity/) [Thomas Boston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-boston/) > [Custom, madam, is the law of fools, but it shall never govern me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-vanbrugh/custom-madam-is-the-law-of-fools-but-it-shall-never-govern-me/) [John Vanbrugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-vanbrugh/) > [Children and fools cannot lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/children-and-fools-cannot-lie/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Children and fools speak true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/children-and-fools-speak-true/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The glittering baits of titles and honours are only for children and fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-welsh-carlyle/the-glittering-baits-of-titles-and-honours-are-only-for-children-and/) [Jane Welsh Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-welsh-carlyle/) > [“No man is free. Only children and fools think elsewise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/no-man-is-free-only-children-and-fools-think-elsewise/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Children and fools always speak the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/children-and-fools-always-speak-the-truth/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [The real fountain of youth is to have a dirty mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-hall/the-real-fountain-of-youth-is-to-have-a-dirty-mind/) [Jerry Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-hall/) > [I don't know whether my husband is a genius or not, but he certainly has a dirty mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-barnacle/i-don-t-know-whether-my-husband-is-a-genius-or-not-but-he-certainly/) Nora Barnacle > [I am allergic to domestic goddesses. 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