We can't form our children on our own concepts; we must take them and love them as God gives them to us

We can't form our children on our own concepts; we must take them and love them as God gives them to us

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a renowned German writer, once said, “We can't form our children on our own concepts; we must take them and love them as God gives them to us.” This quote reflects Goethe’s belief in the importance of accepting and nurturing children for who they are, rather than trying to mold them into a preconceived idea of what they should be.

Goethe’s own life experiences may have influenced his perspective on parenting and child-rearing. As a father of five children, he likely understood the challenges and joys of raising a family. He may have realized that each child is a unique individual with their own strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits. By embracing and loving children as they are, parents can help them grow and develop into confident, well-adjusted adults.

In the context of Goethe’s work as a writer and philosopher, this quote can also be interpreted as a broader statement about the nature of creativity and inspiration. Just as parents must accept and nurture their children, artists and thinkers must be open to the ideas and insights that come to them from the divine source of inspiration. Goethe believed that true creativity comes from a place beyond the conscious mind, and that artists must be receptive to the gifts of the muse.