The Elegance of the Hedgehog

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"The problem is that children believe what adults say, and once they're adults themselves, they exact their revenge by deceiving their own children. "Life has meaning and we grown-ups know what it is" is the universal lie that everyone is supposed to believe. Once you become an adult and you realize it's not true, it's too late. The mystery remains intact, but all your available energy has long ago been wasted on stupid things. All that's left is to anesthetize yourself by trying to hide the fact that you can't find any meaning in your own life, and then, the better to convince yourself, you deceive your own children.... I wonder if it wouldn't be simpler just to teach children right from the start that life is absurd."
- Profound Thought No. 1- The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery