What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
You can always tell an old soldier by the inside of his holsters and cartridge boxes. The young ones carry pistols and cartridges; the old ones, grub.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Experience shapes a person's priorities and what they value over time.
This quote by George Bernard Shaw reflects on the differences between young and old soldiers, highlighting how experience alters what they carryβwhile the young carry weapons ready for battle, the old prioritize sustenance, symbolizing a shift from aggression to survival and wisdom acquired through years in service. It suggests that the lessons learned in life lead to a deeper understanding of what is truly important.
Themes
ExperienceWisdomPrioritiesSoldierLife Lessons
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about resilience and the lessons of life, a leader could reference this quote to illustrate the importance of experience over youth.
More from George Bernard Shaw
All quotes βMarriage is good enough for the lower classes: they have facilities for desertion that are denied to us.
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Forgive him, for he believes that the customs of his tribe are the laws of nature!
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Those who talk most about the blessings of marriage and the constancy of its vows are the very people who declare that if the chain were broken and the prisoners left free to choose, the whole social fabric would fly asunder. You cannot have the argument both ways. If the prisoner is happy, why lock him in? If he is not, why pretend that he is?
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Treat a friend as a person who may someday become your enemy; an enemy as a person who may someday become your friend.
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The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
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