--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why should you want to give up a child's…" description: "\"Why should you want to give up a child's wise not-understanding in exchange for defensiveness and scorn, since not-understanding is, after all, a way o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/rainer-maria-rilke-193_children_why-should-you-want-to-give-up-a-child-s_161883.jpg" --- # Why should you want to give up a child's wise… ![“Why should you want to give up a child's wise not-understanding in exchange for defensiveness and scorn, since not-understanding is, after all, a way of being alone, whereas defensiveness and scorn are a participation in precisely what, by these means, you want to separate yourself from.” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/rainer-maria-rilke-193_children_why-should-you-want-to-give-up-a-child-s_161883.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/rainer-maria-rilke-193_children_why-should-you-want-to-give-up-a-child-s_161883.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/rainer-maria-rilke-193_children_why-should-you-want-to-give-up-a-child-s_161883.jpg) > “Why should you want to give up a child's wise not-understanding in exchange for defensiveness and scorn, since not-understanding is, after all, a way of being alone, whereas defensiveness and scorn are a participation in precisely what, by these means, you want to separate yourself from.” [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing defensiveness over innocent misunderstanding isolates us, while misunderstanding can be a solitary, authentic state. **In simple terms:** Defensiveness separates us; misunderstanding can be alone. Key Takeaway Value honest vulnerability over defensive reactions. Themes vulnerability communication isolation authenticity psychology Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - personal growth - relationships - therapy - conflict resolution Key Concepts defensiveness solitude self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - When have you chosen defensiveness over curiosity? - How can embracing misunderstanding foster connection? A Different Perspective The abstract language may be hard to apply practically. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Defensiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defensiveness/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [Participation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participation/) [Separate Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separate-yourself/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [“And when you realize that their activities are shabby, that their vocations are petrified and no longer connected with life, why not then continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/and-when-you-realize-that-their-activities-are-shabby-that-their/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Mistakes are the stepping stones to wisdom, we learn from trial & error, we become wise by understanding problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-brown/mistakes-are-the-stepping-stones-to-wisdom-we-learn-from-trial-error/) [Leon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-brown/) > [“Remember every mistreatment experience shows up to give you the opportunity to learn love at a deeper level. 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