QuoteProject
Your first duty is to be humane. Love childhood. Look with friendly eyes on its games, its pleasures, its amiable dispositions. Which of you does not sometimes look back regretfully on the age when laughter was ever on the lips and the heart free of care? Why steal from the little innocents the enjoyment of a time that passes all too quickly?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of cherishing childhood and maintaining a humane perspective towards it.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau reflects on the intrinsic value of childhood, urging adults to appreciate and nurture the joy and innocence that define this stage of life. He questions the tendency to take away the simple pleasures of childhood, reminding us of the fleeting nature of this precious time and the need for a compassionate and joyful approach to childhood experiences.

Themes

ChildhoodInnocenceJoyHumaneLaughter

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about child welfare, one might use this quote to stress the importance of protecting children's joy.

More from Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Patience patience quotes is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
The infant, on opening his eyes, ought to see his country, and to the hour of his death never lose sight of it.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
O love, if I regret the age when one savors you, it is not for the hour of pleasure, but for the one that follows it.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
Those people who treat politics and morality separately will never understand either of them.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
As evening approached, I came down from the heights of the island, and I liked then to go and sit on the shingle in some secluded spot by the lake; there the noise of the waves and the movement of the water, taking hold of my senses and driving all other agitation from my soul, would plunge me into delicious reverie in which night often stole upon me unawares.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead

Similar quotes

Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears: But yet It is our trick; nature her custom holds, Let shame say what it will: when these are gone, The woman will be out. — Adieu, my lord! I have a speech of fire, that fain would blaze, But that this folly drowns it.
William ShakespeareRead
Our concept of governing is derived from our view of people. It is a concept deeply rooted in a set of beliefs firmly etched in the national conscience, of all of us.
Barbara JordanRead
To every man his little cross. Till he dies. And is forgotten.
Samuel BeckettRead
I don't believe in men waiting until they are ready to die before using any of their money for helpful purposes.
George EastmanRead
There is no real evil in life, except great pain; all the rest is imaginary, and depends on the light in which we view things
Marie De Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise De SevigneRead
Half of what I say is meaningless; but I say it so that the other half may reach you.
Khalil GibranRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.