In order to influence a child, one must be careful not to be that child's parent or grandparent.

More from Don Marquis

• A demagogue is a person with whom we disagree as to which gang should mismanage the country.
• An idea isn't responsible for the people who believe in it.
• An optimist is a guy that never has had much experience.
• A pessimist is a person who has had to listen to too many optimists.
• Did you ever notice that when a politician does get an idea he usually gets it all wrong.
• Honesty is a good thing, but it is not profitable to its possessor unless it is kept under control.