--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We believed optimistically that Laurie…" description: "\"“We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed character. I told my husband, on the last day of Laurie's confinement, that actually one good sc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/shirley-jackson-1526_boys_we-believed-optimistically-that-laurie-w_362812.jpg" --- # We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed… ![“We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed character. I told my husband, on the last day of Laurie's confinement, that actually one good scare like that could probably mark a child for life, and my husband pointed out that kids frequently have an instinctive desire to follow the good…” quote by Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/shirley-jackson-1526_boys_we-believed-optimistically-that-laurie-w_362812.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/shirley-jackson-1526_boys_we-believed-optimistically-that-laurie-w_362812.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/shirley-jackson-1526_boys_we-believed-optimistically-that-laurie-w_362812.jpg) > ““We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed character. I told my husband, on the last day of Laurie's confinement, that actually one good scare like that could probably mark a child for life, and my husband pointed out that kids frequently have an instinctive desire to follow the good example rather than the bad, once they find out which is which. We agreed that a good moral background and thorough grounding in the Hardy Boys would always tell in the long run. ("Arch-Criminal")”” [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children are shaped by both positive and negative role models; fear can be a powerful teacher. **In simple terms:** Kids learn from good and bad examples. Key Takeaway Balance guidance with healthy challenges. Themes parenting morality learning fear Mood thoughtful cautionary Type narrative psychological When to use this quote - raising children - education - storytelling - character building Key Concepts psychology developmental theory Questions to Reflect On - How much risk is healthy for growth? - What positive examples can you model? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on fear may cause trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Juvenile delinquency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/juvenile-delinquency/) [Last day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-day/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) ## Related quotes > [I used to be a lawyer, but now I am a reformed character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/i-used-to-be-a-lawyer-but-now-i-am-a-reformed-character/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [I found a movie called “Light in the Piazza.” I finally made the movie with Olivia de Havilland and myself, but initially there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-hamilton/i-found-a-movie-called-light-in-the-piazza-i-finally-made-the-movie/) [George Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-hamilton/) > [“The sooner, the better!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-w-dixon/the-sooner-the-better/) [Franklin W. Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-w-dixon/) ## More by Shirley Jackson > [I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. 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