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Here’s a bumper sticker I’d like to see: “We are the proud parents of a child who’s self-esteem is sufficient that he doesn’t need us promoting his minor scholastic achievements on the back of our car."
George Carlin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote critiques the overemphasis on promoting minor achievements of children by parents.

George Carlin's quote humorously suggests that true self-esteem in a child comes from their ability to recognize their own achievements without needing external validation from their parents. It calls out the tendency of some parents to boast about their children's minor accomplishments, implying that authentic confidence doesn't require constant promotion from others, particularly for trivial matters like scholastic achievements.

Themes

Self-EsteemParentingAchievementEducationValidation

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about parenting styles, one might say, 'As George Carlin pointed out, we should encourage self-esteem in our kids without boasting about every little thing they do.'

More from George Carlin

Life is a near-death experience.
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This is a lttle prayer dedicated to the separation of church and state. I guess if they are going to force those kids to pray in schools they might as well have a nice prayer like this: Our Father who art in heaven, and to the republic for which it stands, thy kingdom come, one nation indivisible as in heaven, give us this day as we forgive those who so proudly we hail. Crown thy good into temptation but deliver us from the twilight's last gleaming. Amen and Awomen.
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Some people try to get out of jury duty by lying. You don't have to lie. Tell the judge the truth. Tell him you'd make a terrific juror because you can spot guilty people.
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Intelligence tests are biased toward the literate.
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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
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