Children, by nature, are keen, passionate and curious. What was referred to as laziness is often merely an awakening of sensitivity, a psychological inability to submit to certain absurd duties, and a natural result of the distorted, unbalanced education given to them. This laziness, which leads to an insuperable reluctance to learn, is, contrary to appearances, sometimes proof of intellectual superiority and a condemnation of the teacher.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that what is labeled as laziness in children may actually reflect their sensitivity and a critique of the education system.
Octave Mirbeau's quote explores the misconceptions surrounding children's behavior, particularly the attribution of laziness. He argues that this perceived laziness is a signal of deeper sensitivity and critical awareness, highlighting that children may resist certain educational norms because they recognize them as absurd. This resistance, rather than being a sign of inferiority, may indicate a higher level of intellectual sophistication and ultimately points to flaws in the educational system that fails to engage their curiosity and passion.
In practice
In a discussion about education reform, one might quote this to emphasize the need to listen to children's needs.
Sheep run to the slaughterhouse, silent and hopeless, but at least sheep never vote for the butcher who kills them or the people who devour them. More beastly than any beast, more sheepish than any sheep, the voter names his own executioner and chooses his own devourer, and for this precious "right" a revolution was fought.
While I was an honorable man in her eyes, she did not love me. But the minute she understood what I was, when she breathed the true and foul odor of my soul, love was born in her β for she does love me! Well, well! There is nothing real, then, except evil.
I say to the grownups, if you want to deny evolution and live in your world, that's completely inconsistent with the world we observe, that's fine. But don't make your kids do it. Because we need them. We need scientifically literate voters and taxpayers for the future. We need engineers that can build stuff and solve problems.
Some Poor grad student pressing on the flanks of a hamster and out comes a doctorate on the other side
Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain.
The federal government spends about $2.51 per child per day to feed them lunch. Out of that, you have to pay for labor, facilities, and administrative costs, leaving about a dollar for food. Imagine trying to feed yourself a nutritious meal every day with only a dollar. Very difficult.
The student is to read history actively and not passively.
A child from the age of 2 or 3 absorbs what is in the environment and what generates hatred for anyone perceived to be different.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.