"Humanity cherishes its swaddling clothes; but it shall not grow up unless it can free itself from them. Turning down his mother's breast does not make the weaned child ungrateful. ... Rise up naked, valiant; make the sheaths crack; push aside the stakes; to grow straight you need no more than the thrust of your sap and the call of the sun."

7 likes

Source: Andre Gide (2012). “The Counterfeiters: A Novel”, p.205, Vintage

About the author

Andre Gide

Novelist

Andre Gide was a French author and Nobel laureate known for his exploration of freedom and individuality in works like 'The Immoralist'.

All quotes by Andre Gide →

Same author

More quotes by Andre Gide

See all →