Quote by Mark Twain
One must make allowances for a parental instinct that has been starving for twenty-five or thirty years. It is famished, it is crazed with hunger by that time, and will be entirely satisfied with anything that comes handy; its taste is atrophied, it can't tell mud cat from shad. A devil born to a young couple is measurably recognizable by them as a devil before long, but a devil adopted by an old couple is an angel to them, and remains so, through thick and thin.
Summary
This quote highlights how the passage of time and unfulfilled parental instincts can greatly influence one's perception of love and acceptance. The comparison between a devil born to young parents and a devil adopted by old parents underscores the idea that older individuals, after years of longing, are more willing to overlook or perceive as positive even the most flawed individuals. It emphasizes the power of parenthood and the immense capacity for love, despite the circumstances or appearances, when experienced later in life.
Topics
Parenting
By Mark Twain
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