Quotes by Bruno Bettelheim

“The unrealistic nature of these tales (which narrowminded rationalists object to) is an important device, because it makes obvious that the fairy tales concern is not useful information about the e...”

“The ability to read becomes devalued when what one has learned to read adds nothing of importance to one's life.”

“The myth of Oedipus . . . arouses powerful intellectual and emotional reactions in the adult-so much so, that it may provide a cathartic experience, as Aristotle taught all tragedy does. [A reader]...”

“Even Aristotle, master of pure reason, said: 'The friend of wisdom is also a friend of myth.”

“Raising children is a creative endeavor, an art rather than a science.”

“Punishment may make us obey the orders we are given, but at best it will only teach an obedience to authority, not a self-control which enhances our self-respect.”

“Since there are thousands of fairy tales, one may safely guess that there are probably equal numbers where the courage and determination of females rescue males, and vice versa.”

“The last if not the greatest of the human freedoms: to choose their own attitude in any given circumstance.”

“But had Minkowski and Einstein not recognized it long before us, our schizophrenic children would have taught us that space-time is a unity that precedes any separate understanding of either catego...”

“The last if not the greatest of the human freedoms: to choose their own attitude in any given circumstance.”