What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
Alcohol is a very necessary article. It enables Parliament to do things at eleven at night that no sane person would do at eleven in the morning.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote humorously suggests that alcohol allows people, particularly those in power, to make questionable decisions at night that they wouldn't consider sober during the day.
George Bernard Shaw's quote highlights the role of alcohol as a social lubricant that alters judgment, especially in high-pressure environments like Parliament. By contrasting the times of day when sober decision-making is expected with the license granted by alcohol, Shaw critiques the absurdities of political decision-making and implies that the late-night decisions made under the influence may be irrational or outlandish.
Themes
AlcoholParliamentDecisionsHumorJudgment
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the impact of stress on decision-making, one might reference this quote to lighten the mood.
More from George Bernard Shaw
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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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