--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A modern princess—of England, say, or…" description: "\"“A modern princess—of England, say, or Monaco— serves the purpose of being an adornment in the fantasy life of the public. Consequently, she receives t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d4/stephen-mitchell-16811_christmas-tree_a-modern-princess-of-england-say-or-mona_2394732.png" --- # A modern princess—of England, say, or Monaco— serves the… ![“A modern princess—of England, say, or Monaco— serves the purpose of being an adornment in the fantasy life of the public. Consequently, she receives the kind of education that one might think of giving to a particularly splendid papier-mâché angel before putting it at the top of the Christmas…” quote by Stephen Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d4/stephen-mitchell-16811_christmas-tree_a-modern-princess-of-england-say-or-mona_2394732.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d4/stephen-mitchell-16811_christmas-tree_a-modern-princess-of-england-say-or-mona_2394732.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d4/stephen-mitchell-16811_christmas-tree_a-modern-princess-of-england-say-or-mona_2394732.png) > ““A modern princess—of England, say, or Monaco— serves the purpose of being an adornment in the fantasy life of the public. Consequently, she receives the kind of education that one might think of giving to a particularly splendid papier-mâché angel before putting it at the top of the Christmas tree: an education whose main goal is proficiency in the arts of looking pretty and standing straight. Our century, whatever virtues it may have, is not an optimal time for princesses. Things were different in the Renaissance. Intelligence had a primary value then. At almost every level of the social order, education was meant to create true amateurs—people who were in love with quality. A gentleman or lady needed to be at least minimally skilled in many arts, because that was considered the fittest way of appreciating the good things in life and honoring the goodness itself. Nor did being well-rounded mean smoothing over your finest points and becoming like the reflection of a smile in a polished teaspoon. Intelligence walked hand in hand with individuality, although having finely sharpened points of view did not, it was felt, require you to poke other people with them. If wit was a rapier, courtesy was the button at the end of the blade.”” [Stephen Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mitchell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern princesses are often ornamental, lacking the broad education and intellectual depth valued in earlier eras. **In simple terms:** Princesses often lack substance. Key Takeaway Advocate for well‑rounded education. Themes culture education gender roles Mood reflective critical Type cultural philosophical When to use this quote - royal duties - media portrayal - education reform - personal development Key Concepts historical comparison social expectations Questions to Reflect On - What would a truly educated princess contribute? - How can society value substance over appearance? A Different Perspective Changing traditions is slow and resisted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christmas tree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-tree/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Education Meant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education-meant-516024/) [Education Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education-think-268072/) [Fantasy life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy-life/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Good thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-thing/) [Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Hand in hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hand-in-hand/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Looking pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-pretty/) [Modern Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-princess-5977022/) [Princesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princesses/) [Renaissance Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renaissance-intelligence-5977023/) [Social order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-order/) [Things in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-in-life/) ## Related quotes > [Education should foster; this education is meant to repress. 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At almost every level of the social order, education was meant to create true amateurs—people who were in love with quality. A gentleman or lady needed to be at least minimally skilled in many arts, because that was considered the fittest way of appreciating the good things in life and honoring the goodness itself. Nor did being well-rounded mean smoothing over your finest points and becoming like the reflection of a smile in a polished teaspoon. Intelligence walked hand in hand with individuality, although having finely sharpened points of view did not, it was felt, require you to poke other people with them. 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