A child wants things to be a certain way. When you get to be an adult, you just understand that some people are good, some are not, and you can't be naive.
Interpretation
As adults, we learn to accept the complexities of human nature rather than holding naive beliefs about people.
This quote reflects the transition from childhood to adulthood, highlighting how a child's simplicity in wanting things to be perfect contrasts with an adult's understanding of the nuanced reality of human behavior. It suggests that wisdom involves recognizing the duality of people's nature—acknowledging that not everyone is inherently good and that naivety can lead to disillusionment.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about personal growth and the lessons learned in adulthood.
In a society where the roles everyone plays are obvious, the refusal to conform to any standard will excite interest. Be both masculine and feminine, impudent and charming, subtle and outrageous. Let other people worry about being socially acceptable; those types are a dime a dozen, and you are after a power greater than they can imagine.
When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike.
The moment people feel they know what to expect from you, your spell on them is broken. More: You have ceded them power.
The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.
The Nihilistic Troll might pretend to be acting in the service of some cause or leader, but don't be fooled. The cause and their supposedly strong convictions are simply a way to justify and provide cover for their abusive behavior.
Only create associations with positive affinities. Make this a rule of life and you will benefit more than from all the therapy in the world.
The same man cannot well be skilled in everything; each has his special excellence.
People of uncommon abilities generally fall into eccentricities when their sphere of life is not adequate to their abilities.
When we really connect to that place of wisdom and strength and understanding, everything becomes easier.
Drugs will get you out of your own way, but we lived it, and that's dangerous. It can actually turn around on itself and steal your soul, and that's what happened.
Should a person do good, let him do it again and again. Let him find pleasure therein, for blissful is the accumulation of good.
In life, if you don't know the truth, then you can't be free, because then you'll believe that the lies are the truth. But once we realize that when we read the Word of God, and you know the truth of who you are, then I'm not a man without arms and legs. I am a child of God.
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