And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
Valentine had long ago observed that in a society that expected chastity and fidelity, like Lusitania, the adolescents who controlled and channeled their youthful passions were the ones who grew up to be both strong and civilized. Adolescents in such a community who were either too weak to control themselves or too contemptuous of society's norms to try usually ended up being either sheep or wolves- either mindless members of the herd or predators who took what they could and gave nothing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the importance of self-control and adherence to societal norms for personal development.
In this quote, Orson Scott Card reflects on the significance of chastity and fidelity in a structured society like Lusitania. He posits that adolescents who learn to manage their impulses and respect societal expectations become stronger and more civilized individuals, whereas those who fail to do so either conform mindlessly or become predatory, ultimately resulting in diminished personal and societal integrity.
Themes
Self-ControlSocietyAdolescentsChastityFidelityStrengthCivilization
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of values in youth development.
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