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Good man Quote by Tom Robbins

“My impressions were this: There is an insect called the hunting wasp. The female hunts for spiders and other insects and preys on them in an unusual way. She stings them in the large nerve ganglion on the underside of the thorax so that they are not killed but only paralyzed. She then lays an egg…” quote by Tom Robbins
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““My impressions were this: There is an insect called the hunting wasp. The female hunts for spiders and other insects and preys on them in an unusual way. She stings them in the large nerve ganglion on the underside of the thorax so that they are not killed but only paralyzed. She then lays an egg on the paralyzed victim (or within it’s body) and seals the prey up in a nest. When the egg hatches, the wasp larva commences to eat the prey, slowly, gradually, in a highly systemized way. The nonvital tissues and organs are eaten first, so that the paralyzed creature remains alive for a good many days. Eventually, of course, its guest eats away so much of it that it dies. During the whole long process of consumption, the prey cannot move, cry out or resist in any way.” “Now, suppose we view the Church as the hunting wasp, it’s stinger being represented by the nuns and priests who teach in the schools. And let us view the pupils as the paralyzed prey. The egg that is injected into them is the dogma, which in time must hatch into the larva-personal philosophy or religious attitude. This larva, as that of the wasp eats away from within, slowly and in a specialized manner, until the victim in destroyed. That is my impression of parochial education.””

Tom Robbins

About This Quote

Source Essay: Parochial Education Analogy, 1990s interview

The analogy likens institutional religious education to a wasp’s methodical consumption of its prey, suggesting it slowly erodes independent thought.

In simple terms: Religious schooling can suppress individuality over time.

Key Takeaway

Question and nurture critical thinking.

Themes

education religion control individuality

Mood

critical thought‑provoking

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

  • school curricula
  • parental guidance
  • faith-based programs
  • self‑study groups

Key Concepts

critical theory psychology of indoctrination

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does your education shape your beliefs?
  • Can tradition coexist with independent thought?
A Different Perspective

Not all religious education is oppressive; many foster community.

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