Quote of the day by Roald Dahl: 'The adult is the enemy of the child because of the awful process of...' - inspiring quote by Matilda, James and the Giant Peach and The BFG author teaches life lessons on growing up, parenting and why childhood needs both freedom and guidance

Quote of the day by Roald Dahl: Childhood is often seen as a time of freedom, curiosity, and endless imagination. But it is also the stage when children begin learning the rules that shape life, how to behave, how to treat others, and how to tell right from wrong. Roald Dahl captured that idea in one of his quotes, offering a perspective on the challenging role adults play in a child's life.

Quote of the Day Today: Roald Dahl on Why Growing Up Is Never Easy

Roald Dahl said, “The adult is the enemy of the child because of the awful process of civilizing this thing that, when it is born, is an animal with no manners, no moral sense at all,” as per BrainyQuote.

What Roald Dahl's Quote Means

Dahl's words aren't meant to portray adults as villains. Instead, they reflect the reality that children are born without an understanding of society's rules. Learning kindness, respect, patience and responsibility takes time, and adults are the ones who teach those lessons.


From a child's perspective, those rules can feel frustrating. Being told what not to do, following routines and accepting discipline can make adults seem like the "enemy." But those experiences are also part of growing into a responsible person.

The Life Lesson Behind the Quote

The quote reminds us that guidance isn't always comfortable, but it is often necessary.

Parents, teachers and caregivers sometimes have to make difficult decisions that children may not understand in the moment. Over time, though, those lessons help build character, empathy and self-control.

Dahl's words encourage adults not to lose sight of what makes childhood special. While teaching discipline and responsibility, it's just as important to protect a child's imagination, curiosity and sense of wonder.

Who Was Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was a British author best known for children's classics including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach and The Witches. His imaginative stories, filled with fantasy, humour and brave young protagonists, have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, as per a Britannica report.

Roald Dahl's Early Life

Born in Llandaff, Wales, Dahl attended boarding school, where his experiences later inspired many of the strict adult characters in his books. While at Repton School, he also took part in Cadbury chocolate taste tests, which influenced Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Roald Dahl's Writing Career

After serving as a Royal Air Force fighter pilot during World War II, Dahl began writing. He went on to publish bestselling books including James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The BFG, The Witches and Matilda, many of which were adapted into popular films, as per the Britannica report.

Roald Dahl's Legacy

Dahl remains one of the world's best-known children's authors. However, his legacy has also been marked by controversy over offensive content in some of his books and antisemitic remarks he made outside his fiction, leading to ongoing debates about revisions to his work, as per the Britannica report.