--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tender minds should not receive early…" description: "\"“Tender minds should not receive early impressions of goblins, spectres, and apparitions, wherewith maids fright them into compliance.Locke.”\" — Samuel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/samuel-johnson-50_fright_tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-im_1831443.png" --- # Tender minds should not receive early impressions of… ![“Tender minds should not receive early impressions of goblins, spectres, and apparitions, wherewith maids fright them into compliance.Locke.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/samuel-johnson-50_fright_tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-im_1831443.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/samuel-johnson-50_fright_tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-im_1831443.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/samuel-johnson-50_fright_tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-im_1831443.png) > ““Tender minds should not receive early impressions of goblins, spectres, and apparitions, wherewith maids fright them into compliance.Locke.”” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early exposure to fantastical ideas can shape imagination but may also mislead perception. **In simple terms:** Early myths affect thinking. Key Takeaway Guide imagination with critical thinking. Themes imagination myths education Mood reflective cautious Type analytical educational When to use this quote - childhood - storytelling - media consumption Key Concepts psychology literature critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do early stories influence adult beliefs? - When should imagination be tempered with logic? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on fantasy can hinder rational analysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fright/) [Fright Compliance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fright-compliance-2277757/) [Impressions Goblins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impressions-goblins-2277758/) [Maids Fright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maids-fright-2277755/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Tender Minds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tender-minds-2277756/) ## Related quotes > [The disgrace of others often keeps tender minds from vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/the-disgrace-of-others-often-keeps-tender-minds-from-vice/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ “To APPAL  (APPA'L)   v.a.\[appalir, Fr. It might more properly have been written appale.\]To fright; to strike with sudden fear; to depress; to discourage.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-appal-appa-l-v-a-appalir-fr-it-might-more-properly-have-been/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [I turn away with fright and horror from the lamentable evil of functions which do not have derivatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hermite/i-turn-away-with-fright-and-horror-from-the-lamentable-evil-of/) [Charles Hermite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hermite/) > [I don't get stage fright, I actually love the energy, I love the spontaneity, I love the adrenaline you get in front of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-burke/i-don-t-get-stage-fright-i-actually-love-the-energy-i-love-the/) [Brooke Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-burke/) > [Stage fright and acting blocks are just unfocused or misplaced energy. Everything is possible if you know how and where to focus to invite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjo-riikka-makela/stage-fright-and-acting-blocks-are-just-unfocused-or-misplaced-energy/) [Marjo-Riikka Makela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjo-riikka-makela/) > [Actually, I failed drama in high school because of nerves. I wasn't able to memorize the words. I had complete stage fright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-marie/actually-i-failed-drama-in-high-school-because-of-nerves-i-wasn-t/) [Constance Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-marie/) > [Reading a great book causes jolts and frights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/reading-a-great-book-causes-jolts-and-frights/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [If you tell me, I will leave you alone," I said. "And if you don't tell me, I am going to grab the nearest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/if-you-tell-me-i-will-leave-you-alone-i-said-and-if-you-don-t-tell-me/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [At first, I had such stage fright, and it was always comforting to look over and see my big brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-spielberg/at-first-i-had-such-stage-fright-and-it-was-always-comforting-to-look/) [Sasha Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-spielberg/) > [“She had had a real fright but had fallen back to earth. The odd thing was that in her fall her fear too had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/she-had-had-a-real-fright-but-had-fallen-back-to-earth-the-odd-thing/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [“A fool, what with sheer fright and fine sentiments, is always safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/a-fool-what-with-sheer-fright-and-fine-sentiments-is-always-safe/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [Be brave! Be strong! Be fearless! Once you have taken up the spiritual life, fight as long as there is any life in you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/be-brave-be-strong-be-fearless-once-you-have-taken-up-the-spiritual/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Of course it does on opening night, but I've never had that devastating stage fright that some people get, but apparently, you can develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/of-course-it-does-on-opening-night-but-i-ve-never-had-that/) [Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Fright quotes > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Of course it does on opening night, but I've never had that devastating stage fright that some people get, but apparently, you can develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/of-course-it-does-on-opening-night-but-i-ve-never-had-that/) [Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/) > [Be brave! Be strong! Be fearless! Once you have taken up the spiritual life, fight as long as there is any life in you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/be-brave-be-strong-be-fearless-once-you-have-taken-up-the-spiritual/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“A fool, what with sheer fright and fine sentiments, is always safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/a-fool-what-with-sheer-fright-and-fine-sentiments-is-always-safe/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [“She had had a real fright but had fallen back to earth. The odd thing was that in her fall her fear too had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/she-had-had-a-real-fright-but-had-fallen-back-to-earth-the-odd-thing/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [At first, I had such stage fright, and it was always comforting to look over and see my big brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-spielberg/at-first-i-had-such-stage-fright-and-it-was-always-comforting-to-look/) [Sasha Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-spielberg/) > [If you tell me, I will leave you alone," I said. "And if you don't tell me, I am going to grab the nearest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/if-you-tell-me-i-will-leave-you-alone-i-said-and-if-you-don-t-tell-me/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Reading a great book causes jolts and frights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/reading-a-great-book-causes-jolts-and-frights/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Actually, I failed drama in high school because of nerves. I wasn't able to memorize the words. I had complete stage fright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-marie/actually-i-failed-drama-in-high-school-because-of-nerves-i-wasn-t/) [Constance Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-marie/) > [Stage fright and acting blocks are just unfocused or misplaced energy. Everything is possible if you know how and where to focus to invite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjo-riikka-makela/stage-fright-and-acting-blocks-are-just-unfocused-or-misplaced-energy/) [Marjo-Riikka Makela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjo-riikka-makela/) > [I don't get stage fright, I actually love the energy, I love the spontaneity, I love the adrenaline you get in front of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-burke/i-don-t-get-stage-fright-i-actually-love-the-energy-i-love-the/) [Brooke Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-burke/) > [I turn away with fright and horror from the lamentable evil of functions which do not have derivatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hermite/i-turn-away-with-fright-and-horror-from-the-lamentable-evil-of/) [Charles Hermite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hermite/) > [I know a lot of screen actors who think they left it too long to go back on stage and now they have really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-lou-wood/i-know-a-lot-of-screen-actors-who-think-they-left-it-too-long-to-go/) [Aimee Lou Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-lou-wood/) > [I get stage fright with short stories. For me it feels like standup comedy: kill or die. I'm more confident when I begin a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sefi-atta/i-get-stage-fright-with-short-stories-for-me-it-feels-like-standup/) [Sefi Atta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sefi-atta/) > [“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/to-begin-by-bluster-but-afterwards-to-take-fright-at-the-enemy-s/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Browse all 309 Fright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fright/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Tender minds should not receive early impressions of goblins, spectres, and apparitions, wherewith maids fright them into compliance.Locke.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-impressions-of-goblins-spectres/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fright" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-impressions-of-goblins-spectres/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/samuel-johnson-50_fright_tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-im_1831443.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/samuel-johnson-50_fright_tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-im_1831443.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/samuel-johnson-50_fright_tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-im_1831443.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Tender minds should not receive early impressions of goblins, spectres, and apparitions, wherewith maids…” — Samuel Johnson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Samuel Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Tender minds should not receive early...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-impressions-of-goblins-spectres/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/tender-minds-should-not-receive-early-impressions-of-goblins-spectres/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```