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Children have a master to teach them, grown-ups have the poets.
Aristophanes
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Children learn from teachers, while adults find wisdom and inspiration in poetry.

This quote by Aristophanes highlights the transition from formal education in childhood to the more introspective and creative learning that comes from engaging with poetry in adulthood. It suggests that while children require structured learning from teachers, adults benefit from the insights and reflections found in poetic works, indicating a deeper, more personal form of enlightenment as they mature.

Themes

ChildrenPoetsLearningEducationWisdomGrowth

In practice

Example use cases

A teacher might use this quote to emphasize the importance of poetry in understanding complex emotions.

More from Aristophanes

Shrines! Shrines! Surely you don't believe in the gods. What's your argument? Where's your proof?
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[Y]ou [man] are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with [woman=] me, when for your faithful ally you might win me easily.
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Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.
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Open your mouth and shut your eyes and see what Zeus will send you.
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When men drink, then they are rich and successful and win lawsuits and are happy and help their friends. Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.
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These impossible women! How they do get around us! The poet was right: Can't live with them, or without them.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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