What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she’s treated.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The treatment one receives defines their dignity and identity, rather than their behavior alone.
This quote by George Bernard Shaw highlights the importance of societal treatment and respect in defining a person's identity. It suggests that the core of a person's value lies not just in their actions or behavior but significantly in how they are perceived and treated by others. This serves as a reminder that respect and kindness can elevate individuals, regardless of their social standing or actions.
Themes
TreatmentRespectIdentityDignityBehavior
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social class and dignity, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of respectful treatment.
More from George Bernard Shaw
All quotes →Marriage 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.
George Bernard ShawRead
The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
George Bernard ShawRead
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