January 6, 2007
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“In a nutshell, people whose lives are hard, boring, painful, meaningless — people who suffer — tend to resent those who seem to suffer less than they do, and will make them suffer if they can. People who feel themselves in chains, with no hope of ever getting them off, want to put chains on everyone else.”
~John Holt, “Teach Your Own”, Introduction.
Yes, indeed.
Comments (33)
You Rock Julie! — Have I ever told you that?! *Wink*
Totally agree.
It’s only fair?
If everyone is equally miserable, everyone is equally happy, right? 
Amen sister!
That’s a major sin, in my opinion.
{{hugs}} You nailed it, Julie!
xoxo
interesting quote. it’s spot on.
I think the quote applies more the “meaningless” and “boring” than the hard and painful. I’ve seen great people arise out of hard and painful, who wish that upon no one. However, those that don’t question and think and examine seem quite suspicious of those of us who do.
I know some people who don’t, but I know some, know them very well who live by this quote.
interesting….
btw: I agree with Patti…. u have a wonderful flair with your blogging and I am a loyal reader!
Yes indeedy!
So true so true!
Nicely done Julie! Polite, yet gets the point across.
can i get an amen?!
I just passed on several John Holt books to the library, in case someone with younger children might like to have them.
Ain’t it the truth!!
Oh, gawd, please tell me I will NEVER DO THAT! Ugh.
You know, there really is a quote for every occasion!
Perfect.
Word.
One of my heroes, John Holt. It is so hard for people to remove themselves from mainstream thinking. They are afraid of ‘losing control’. They are afraid. Afraid to open their eyes and minds, be quiet and listen and consider the possibilities – maybe there is a different, better way.
Let me assure you Julie that your children will know how to act ‘appropriately’ in society. Mine do and they were never forced to sit at a table or wear clothes (around the house) or any of those other things. When in public they do it as well, sometimes better, than those that were forced at a young age. What an insult to humans to insinuate that we will never learn proper behavior unless someone forces us – teaches it. That post was out of line, her assumptions incorrect and offensive.
Oops, got carried away.
word.
Make that another “Amen!”
I read and commented on your previous post too….yikes!
Wow. It does seem so.
There are also some people who find joy even in what seem to be hard painful lives and others who can only find misery even in the best of conditions. You know the type- never happy, always complaining, always cricizing. “Meaningless” and “boring” are perceptions. “Hard” and “painful” can be truths. Yet still, some of most joyful people I know live lives that I would consider quite difficult.
You are an inspiration and I love that you post your wonderful world for us to see. Never stop!
So true. Misery loves company, right?
sounds like a book I need to read!
That’s exactly what I was thinking elsewhere. So very true!
Yes, indeed!
Indeed.
This quote is very accurate, especially when you look at other topics/ideas/situations than homeschooling. Which means that it is human nature. Have you noticed that the people who feel free of chains usually want to help others to find a way out also? I appreciate the “feel” vs “actual”.
So true. Lisa
Amen.