Bruno Bettelheim

“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.”

“If we hope to live not just from moment to moment, but in true consciousness of our existence, then our greatest need and most difficult achievement is to find meaning in our lives.”

“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 external world, but the inner process taking place in an individual.”

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

“You can't teach children to be good. The best you can do for your child is to live a good life yourself. What a parent knows and believes, the child will lean on.”

“The child intuitively comprehends that although these stories are unreal, they are not untrue ...”

“Nuestra reacción ante la lectura está más en la función de lo que sucede en nuestro interior que del contenido del libro... Los libros reposan en espera de que estemos preparados.”