Children who grow up getting nutrition from plant foods rather than meats have a tremendous health advantage. They are less likely to develop weight problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer
In our country today, very few children are raised to believe that their principal destiny is to serve their family, their country, or God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of nurturing children to value service to their family, country, and God.
Benjamin Spock's quote reflects a concern about the contemporary upbringing of children, suggesting that there is a lack of emphasis on instilling values of service and responsibility toward family, community, and spirituality. He argues that many children are not trained to see their lives as intertwined with these essential aspects of society, leading to a potential disconnection from fundamental duties that contribute to a cohesive and supportive environment.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a youth leadership conference, one might quote this to encourage young people to think beyond themselves and think of their roles in society.
More from Benjamin Spock
All quotes βDon't be afraid to trust your own common sense.
Don't take too seriously all that the neighbors say. Don't be overawed by what the experts say. Don't be afraid to trust your own common sense.
On the average, older parents are more flexible, tolerant, understanding, and happy in child care.
Our greatest hope is to bring up children inspired by their opportunities for being helpful and loving.
What good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is usually best after all.
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Our aim is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core.
We buy books because we believe we're buying the time to read them.
Bilingualism lets you have your cake and eat it. The new language opens the doors to the best jobs in society; the old language allows you to keep your sense of 'who you are.' It preserves your identity. With two languages, you have the best of both worlds.
The reader's ear must adjust down from loud life to the subtle, imaginary sounds of the written word. An ordinary reader picking up a book can't yet hear a thing; it will take half an hour to pick up the writing's modulations, its ups and downs and louds and softs.