What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
If you strike a child, take care that you strike it in anger, even at the risk of maiming it for life. A blow in cold blood neither can nor should be forgiven.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the moral considerations of inflicting harm, particularly on children, emphasizing the weight of intentionality in such actions.
George Bernard Shaw's quote reflects on the serious implications of violence, especially towards vulnerable individuals like children. It suggests that when one acts in a moment of anger, there is some element of humanity in the response, but a calculated act of violence performed in cold blood is unforgivable. This highlights the differencing moral weight of actions based on emotional intention.
Themes
ViolenceChildrenMoral ResponsibilityAngerForgiveness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a seminar on child psychology to emphasize the importance of emotional awareness in parenting.
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