Affair Quote by Sigmund Freud
“We have become convinced that it is better to avoid such symbolic disguisings of the truth in what we tell children and not to withhold from them a knowledge of the true state of affairs commensurate with their intellectual level.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Interpretation of Dreams, 1900
Freud argues that we should not hide truth from children but tailor it to their developmental level, avoiding symbolic distortion.
In simple terms: Tell children truth appropriate to their age.
Educate honestly, respecting developmental stage.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- parenting
- teaching
- media consumption
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you gauge a child's readiness for truth?
- What risks arise from over‑simplifying?
Complexity of determining appropriate depth.