--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A child should always say what's true…" description: "\"A child should always say what's true, And speak when he is spoken to, And behave mannerly at table: At least as far as he is able.\" — Robert Louis Ste..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/robert-louis-stevenson-289_able_a-child-should-always-say-what-s-true-an_1376290.jpg" --- # A child should always say what's true, And speak when he… ![“A child should always say what's true, And speak when he is spoken to, And behave mannerly at table: At least as far as he is able.” quote by Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/robert-louis-stevenson-289_able_a-child-should-always-say-what-s-true-an_1376290.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/robert-louis-stevenson-289_able_a-child-should-always-say-what-s-true-an_1376290.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/robert-louis-stevenson-289_able_a-child-should-always-say-what-s-true-an_1376290.jpg) > “A child should always say what's true, And speak when he is spoken to, And behave mannerly at table: At least as far as he is able.” [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children should be honest, listen when spoken to, and behave politely, within their abilities. **In simple terms:** Children need honesty, listening, manners. Key Takeaway Teach honesty and respect early. Themes honesty etiquette growth Mood educational reflective Type literary ethical When to use this quote - family meals - school - home environment Key Concepts Moral development social skills childhood education Questions to Reflect On - How can you model honesty? - What manners are most important today? A Different Perspective Children may lack capacity for full honesty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) ## Related quotes > [The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/the-face-of-a-child-can-say-it-all-especially-the-mouth-part-of-the/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“But I never just quite liked that ryhme.' 'Why not, child?' 'Because it seems to say one's as good as another, or two new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/but-i-never-just-quite-liked-that-ryhme-why-not-child-because-it/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Often when he was teaching me to write in Greek, the Fox would say, "Child, to say the very thing you really mean, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/often-when-he-was-teaching-me-to-write-in-greek-the-fox-would-say/) [C.S. 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