# Source of a "hearts and minds" quote

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-a-hearts-and-minds-quote/412530>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 20, 2007, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-a-hearts-and-minds-quote/412530 "2007-07-20T12:38:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-a-hearts-and-minds-quote/412530/21 "2017-05-01T01:36:01Z")

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> [@atcarlu](#):
>
> This is a quotation from the Holy Bible. Jesus spoke these words to the elders in the temple, and everyone was amazed at the wisdom of a boy who was just twelve years old…

> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#):
>
> Welcome, **atcarlu**. Could you provide a citation for us?

(To **atclaru** ) In other words: chapter and verse, please?

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-a-hearts-and-minds-quote/412530/22 "2017-05-01T10:53:06Z")

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Luke 2 - 41…

> [@](#):
>
> 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
> 
> 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
> 
> 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
> 
> 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
> 
> 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

Nothing there about the subject of this old thread.

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-a-hearts-and-minds-quote/412530/23 "2017-05-01T10:55:20Z")

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More pertinent is the Jesuit motto, alleged to be attributed to Francis Xavier, the co-founder of the Jesuit Order. “Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man.”

In other words the best opportunity to indoctrinate a person in a lifetime of belief and devotion to religious dogma is when they are young.

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**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/source-of-a-hearts-and-minds-quote/412530/24 "2017-05-01T20:26:02Z")

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Just to be clear, the actual Jesuit motto is “For the greater glory of God”. The quote of “Give me a child…” while often attributed to Francis Xavier, is of unknown origin.

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