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 – for she does love me! Well, well! There is nothing real, then, except evil.
Semi-colons only prove that the author has been to college.
My education was the liberty I had to read indiscriminately and all the time, with my eyes hanging out.
Nine-tenths of existing books are nonsense, and the clever books are the refutation of that nonsense.
Very learned women are to be found, in the same manner as female warriors; but they are seldom or ever inventors.
Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education.
I dropped out of school when I was 15 years old. I dropped out because I guess I wasn't getting anything out of my investment in the school.
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