Alexander Neill Quotes & Sayings

I never once went to a prostitute, maybe because so many enthusiastic amateurs were around. — Alexander Sutherland Neill

The difficult child is the child who is unhappy. He is at war with himself; and in consequence, he is at war with the world. — Alexander Sutherland Neill

When my first wife & I began the school, we had one main idea: to make the school fit the child - instead of making the child fit the school. — Alexander Sutherland Neill

I answered that one learns to live, not by hearing of other lives, but by living; for words are infinitely less important than acts. — Alexander Sutherland Neill

There is never a problem child; there is only a problem parent — Alexander Sutherland Neill

The function of the child is to live his own life - not the life that his anxious parents think he should live. — Alexander Sutherland Neill

Thus unto winter's chill embrace I turn
Who once the summer's sun did blithely bide
'Neath solemn visage cold and fair and stern
In her cool breast my hot heart to confide.
Denied the warmth and wit of summer's sun
Or springtime's strength, and bright, melodious song
I dreamed not to complete what I'd begun
Nor dared to haste the laggard hours along.
But now with spring and summer sun at rest
Laid bare before bright winter's pale charms
I would for love of her lay down my quest
And take my ease in Winter-Lady's arms.
Before her beauty fair 'neath snow-swept sky
All other seasons blanch and fade, and die.
- The Lost Knight's Lament, "Winter's Lady" (Forthcoming) — D. Alexander Neill

It starts with a crush, it then may turn into love, and hopefully will end up as soulmates. — Alexander Sutherland Neill

Take from others what you want, but never be a disciple of anyone. — Alexander Sutherland Neill

Free children are not easily influenced; the absence of fear accounts for this phenomenon. Indeed, the absence of fear is the finest thing that can happen to a child. — Alexander Sutherland Neill