What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
Caesar was a man of great common sense and good taste, meaning thereby a man without originality or moral courage.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote criticizes the idea that having common sense and good taste often comes at the expense of originality and moral courage.
In this quote, George Bernard Shaw casts a critical eye on the nature of common sense and good taste, suggesting that these qualities can indicate a lack of creativity and moral fortitude. Shaw implies that many people settle for conventional wisdom and aesthetic standards, avoiding the risks that come with original thought and ethical standpoints. This reflection invites readers to consider whether conformity is a virtue or a failure in the face of true courage and innovation.
Themes
Common SenseOriginalityMoral CourageCreativityConformity
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on creativity, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of breaking away from conventional thinking.
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.
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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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