4 ms·

I have liked this quote for a long time, and try to live by it, but am unable to find the source: “The first time you recognise what you are willing to give yo

by RobinL 9y ago

I have liked this quote for a long time, and try to live by it, but am unable to find the source: “The first time you recognise what you are willing to give your life in return for, these tawdry little baubles of a distracted world – the suburban house, the children with perfect teeth – self loathing has to be the inevitable consequence.”

bryanrasmussen 9y ago
yeah although technically that quote implies that the children (with in this case are modified by the description with perfect teeth) are tawdry little baubles. Which probably inspires a loathing not prefaced with self.
- RobinL 9y ago
  Perhaps - I've always interpreted it more charitably to mean that you care more about what your kids' teeth look like than spending time with them.
- jccc 9y ago
  The materialism being referred to is the cosmetic perfection of the kids' teeth (presumably beyond ensuring their health). "Tawdry little baubles" does not refer to the children themselves.
ashark 9y ago
That's a weird quote, since both the suburban house (=good schools and, more to the point, good peers) and braces (I guess orthodontistry is intended here?) are typically for your kids' benefit. Lower chances of falling into crime, higher chances of having a good education, and better looks all mean an easier life for them. If one loathes oneself over that, one should reexamine one's purpose and priorities—which isn't to say that some kind of endless, constant giving at any cost is necessary or even a good idea in parenting, but self loathing for spending money to send your kids to good schools and straighten their teeth, if you can afford those things, seems extreme. I can think of plenty of other "tawdry baubles" I'd call out before those. They're not even really things. Very odd choices.

4 ms·

I have liked this quote for a long time, and try to live by it, but am unable to find the source: “The first time you recognise what you are willing to give yo

by RobinL 9y ago

bryanrasmussen 9y ago
yeah although technically that quote implies that the children (with in this case are modified by the description with perfect teeth) are tawdry little baubles. Which probably inspires a loathing not prefaced with self.
- RobinL 9y ago
  Perhaps - I've always interpreted it more charitably to mean that you care more about what your kids' teeth look like than spending time with them.
- jccc 9y ago
  The materialism being referred to is the cosmetic perfection of the kids' teeth (presumably beyond ensuring their health). "Tawdry little baubles" does not refer to the children themselves.
ashark 9y ago
That's a weird quote, since both the suburban house (=good schools and, more to the point, good peers) and braces (I guess orthodontistry is intended here?) are typically for your kids' benefit. Lower chances of falling into crime, higher chances of having a good education, and better looks all mean an easier life for them. If one loathes oneself over that, one should reexamine one's purpose and priorities—which isn't to say that some kind of endless, constant giving at any cost is necessary or even a good idea in parenting, but self loathing for spending money to send your kids to good schools and straighten their teeth, if you can afford those things, seems extreme. I can think of plenty of other "tawdry baubles" I'd call out before those. They're not even really things. Very odd choices.