What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
The British soldier can stand up to anything except the British War Office.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously highlights the struggles of soldiers with bureaucratic military structures.
George Bernard Shaw's quote reflects the ironic predicament faced by British soldiers who exhibit great strength and resilience on the battlefield yet find themselves vulnerable to the inefficiencies and decisions of the military bureaucracy, represented by the British War Office. It underscores the contrast between the valor of individual soldiers and the sometimes obstructive nature of authoritative institutions.
Themes
SoldierBureaucracyWarMilitaryHumor
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about military life, one might quote Shaw to illustrate the irony of soldiering.
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.
George Bernard ShawRead
Forgive him, for he believes that the customs of his tribe are the laws of nature!
George Bernard ShawRead
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?
George Bernard ShawRead
Treat a friend as a person who may someday become your enemy; an enemy as a person who may someday become your friend.
George Bernard ShawRead
The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
George Bernard ShawRead
Similar quotes
A lot of good arguments are spoiled by some fool who knows what he is talking about.
Miguel De UnamunoRead
Some people have such a talent for making the best of a bad situation that they go around creating bad situations so they can make the best of them.
Jean KerrRead
I have always been absurdly, ridiculously tall. To give you an idea- when we went on school trips to Interesting and Improving Places, the form-master wouldn't say "Meet under the clock tower," or "Meet under the War Memorial," but "Meet under Adams.
Douglas AdamsRead
A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
Benjamin FranklinRead
It is a strange enterprise to make respectable people laugh.
MoliereRead
I've always said people say on a dramatic show, 'I was crying. It was so emotional when he went and grabbed that little girl from a burning building and handed her over to her mother.' In comedy, the best thing you can say is, 'I think it's funny.'
Bob NewhartRead