--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He said to himself, that this child had a…" description: "\"“He said to himself, that this child had a right to know life before renouncing it, that to deprive her in advance, and in some sort without consulting..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/victor-hugo-32_children_he-said-to-himself-that-this-child-had-a_63566.jpg" --- # He said to himself, that this child had a right to know… ![“He said to himself, that this child had a right to know life before renouncing it, that to deprive her in advance, and in some sort without consulting her, of all joys, under the pretext of saving her from all trials, to take advantage of her ignorance of her isolation, in order to make an…” quote by Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/victor-hugo-32_children_he-said-to-himself-that-this-child-had-a_63566.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/victor-hugo-32_children_he-said-to-himself-that-this-child-had-a_63566.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/victor-hugo-32_children_he-said-to-himself-that-this-child-had-a_63566.jpg) > ““He said to himself, that this child had a right to know life before renouncing it, that to deprive her in advance, and in some sort without consulting her, of all joys, under the pretext of saving her from all trials, to take advantage of her ignorance of her isolation, in order to make an artificial vocation germinate in her, was to rob a human creature of its nature and to lie to God.”” [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage condemns imposing a protective falsehood on a child, arguing that shielding them from life's challenges deprives them of authentic growth and betrays their innate nature. **In simple terms:** Protective lies rob true development. Key Takeaway Guarding innocence can become oppression. Themes autonomy ethical parenting existential authenticity human nature moral responsibility Mood reflective somber Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - parent deciding deciding child's education - society imposing moral codes - religious institutions dictating life choices - authoritarian guardianship Key Concepts rights of the child natural development spiritual honesty Practical Applications - ethical counseling - policy on child welfare Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do we have to allow individuals to face hardship? - When does protection become coercion? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [“What do you do when you're wound up?' she asked. 'Do you play that drum?'. 'No,' said the child. 'We used to dance.' 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