I came across the same observation from two separate books, Ender’s Game, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Both child main characters are told, “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt a bit” by adults. And the MCs, immediately after, think that that is a lie, that the only times adults tell you not to worry or that something won’t hurt is exactly when you should worry or when it will hurt.
I thought it was amusing and was wondering what other interesting observations you have read. It doesn’t have to be from a wise child MC talking about adults, but it could be.
I was very affected by Thucydides’ comment that the first effect of civil war is that your language is redefined… to oppose acts previously thought imprudent is now evidence of cowardice and unfitness for leadership
There’s another section of “The Peloponnesian War” where Dioditus and Cleon are debating whether to put to death a town that was loyal, switched sides, and now wanted back in the Athenian League.
Cleon argued they needed to be made an example of so other towns wouldn’t be tempted to do the same.
Dioditus countered that they needed allies, and that deterrence rarely works. Paraphrasing a bit, but he basically said “As long as wealth breeds arrogance and poverty necessity, men will always be willing to risk danger”
Yes, that’s a good one