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No sooner does a divine gift reveal itself in youth or maid than its market value becomes the decisive consideration, and the poor young creatures are offered for sale, as we might sell angels who had strayed among us.

— John Lancaster Spalding Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

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Children

More quotes by John Lancaster Spalding

There are faults which show heart and win hearts, while the virtue in which there is no love, repels.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Since the mass of mankind are too ignorant or too indolent to think seriously, if majorities are right it is by accident.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

The disinterested love of truth which culture fosters is akin to the unselfishness which is a characteristic of the good.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

To think profoundly, to seek and speak truth, to love justice and denounce wrong is to draw upon one’s self the ill will of many.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

Perfection is beyond our reach, but they who earnestly strive to become perfect, acquire excellences and virtues of which the multitude have no conception.

Aphorisms and Reflections (1901)

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Some of my youthful readers are developing wonderful imaginations. This pleases me.

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So what if a kid dies? God will take care of him.

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Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.

Rabindranath Tagore Stray Birds (1916)

Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults.

Thomas Szasz The Second Sin (1973)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Lancaster Spalding (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.