Children Quote by Sebastian Faulks
““And when I die all the memories of my own life will go to the grave with me, God willing, and Dick will never have to look back at them. And his children will never even know what my life was like. They'll know nothing of grinding stones and lying down to sleep in what felt like a coffin and being hungry and ashamed all day and night and being beaten by a teacher who couldn't write himself and being sure you kept your mind so empty that you had no thoughts at all. And that's what I've done for them, that's my gift to them and to all their children ever after, so don't talk to me about being hard.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Girl Who Came Home by Sebastian Faulks, 1996
The speaker reflects on a life of suffering that will be forgotten after death, seeing his silence as a protective gift to his descendants.
In simple terms: A painful life will be hidden after death, sparing future generations.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the weight of unspoken trauma.
Themes
suffering
silence
generational trauma
legacy
resilience
Mood
somber
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
emotional
When to use this quote
- grieving families
- mental health counseling
- intergenerational healing
- education about abuse
Key Concepts
psychological burden
family dynamics
social oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does silence protect or harm future generations?
- What can be done to break cycles of hidden trauma?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize self‑silencing instead of encouraging confronting and healing.
