What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
A man never tells you anything until you contradict him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often reveal their true thoughts and feelings only when challenged or contradicted.
This quote by George Bernard Shaw highlights the idea that individuals tend to hold back their opinions or facts until their statements are questioned. It suggests that confrontation or contradiction acts as a catalyst for deeper conversation, prompting people to express themselves more openly. It reflects on the human tendency to defend one's position when it is challenged, leading to a more honest exchange of ideas.
Themes
CommunicationTruthContradictionRelationshipsExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a discussion about effective communication in relationships.
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.
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The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
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