Amy Chua Quotes and Sayings - Page 1
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“Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.30, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“The fact is that Chinese parents can do things that would seem unimaginable-even legally actionable-to Westerners. Chinese mothers can say to their daughters, "Hey fatty-lose some weight." By contrast, Western parents have to tiptoe around the issue, talking in terms of "health" and never ever mentioning the f-word, and their kids still end up in therapy for eating disorders and negative self image.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.10, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“There's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.17, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“Instilling a sense of self-discipline and focus when the kids are younger makes it so much easier by the time they get into high school.”
-- Amy Chua -
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“The most successful hyperpowers are the ones where there was actual intermixing. Tang dynasty China was Chinas golden age, and contrary to what I was told when I was growing up, Tang China was founded by a man who by todays standards was no more than half Chinese. It was a mixed-blood dynasty that pulled in barbarians from the steppe.”
-- Amy Chua -
“A lot of parents today are terrified that something they say to their children might make them 'feel bad.' But, hey, if they've done something wrong, they should feel bad. Kids with a sense of responsibility, not entitlement, who know when to experience gratitude and humility, will be better at navigating the social shoals of college.”
-- Amy Chua -
“The Romans thought of themselves as the chosen people, yet they built the greatest army on Earth by recruiting warriors from any background.”
-- Amy Chua -
“We all want to do the right thing for our children. We all don't know what that is and we all - you know, you won't know until the future.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : "Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Mother". "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin, www.npr.org. January 13, 2011.
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“Western parents try to respect their children’s individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they’re capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits, and inner confidence that no one can ever take away.”
-- Amy Chua -
“Every day that you don't practice is a day you're getting worse.”
-- Amy Chua -
“Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.11, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“Everything I've ever done that's valuable is something I was afraid to try.”
-- Amy Chua -
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“The Chinese mom is not the helicopter mom. I would never do their homework for them. It's all about: Take responsibility, don't blame others. Be self-reliant. Never blame the teacher.”
-- Amy Chua -
“Western parents worry a lot about their children's self-esteem. But as a parent, one of the worst things you can do for your child's self-esteem is to let them give up. On the flip side, there's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't.”
-- Amy Chua -
“But just because you love something, I added to myself, doesn't mean you'll ever be great. Not if you don't work. Most people stink at the things they love.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.116, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“I worry that by losing my temper so much and being so harsh and yelling so much that, by example, I will have taught my daughters to be that way, and I'm now constantly telling them not to do that.”
-- Amy Chua -
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“Unlike Western parents, reminding my child of Lord Voldemort didn't bother me.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.19, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“The truth is I'm not good at enjoying life.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.37, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, p.17, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you're good at it. pg 29”
-- Amy Chua -
“I am definitely a Type A personality, always rushing around, trying to do too much, not good at just lying on the beach. But I'm so thankful for everything I have: wonderfully supportive parents and sisters, the best husband in the world, terrific students I love teaching and hanging out with, and above all, my two amazing daughters.”
-- Amy Chua -
“I kind of - I like my life; I feel I have lots of opportunities. And my parents actually having had such high expectations for me - I would say it's the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me. I complained a lot when I was little, but that's how I feel now. And that's why I tried to do the same with my two daughters.”
-- Amy Chua -
“China is doing lots of things right. It's investing in education and R&D, it's opening up, it's more cosmopolitan than it's ever been. I think it's very likely that China will continue to explode economically and certainly become a superpower.”
-- Amy Chua -
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“I think the biggest difference is that I've noticed Western parents seem much more concerned about their children's psyches, their self-esteem, whereas tough immigrant parents assume strength rather than fragility in their children and therefore behave completely differently.”
-- Amy Chua -
“Parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done. I tried to find the balance between the strict, traditional Chinese way I was raised, which I think can be too harsh, and what I see as a tendency in the West to be too permissive and indulgent. If I could do it all again, I would, with some adjustments.”
-- Amy Chua -
“Tenacious practice, practice, practice is crucial for excellence; rote repetition is underrated in America.”
-- Amy ChuaSource : Amy Chua (2011). “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, Bloomsbury Publishing
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“Most things are difficult at the beginning and they become fun, something you love, only after you've worked at them.”
-- Amy Chua -
“There are all these new books out there portraying Asian mothers as scheming, callous, overdriven people indifferent to their kids' true interests. For their part, many Chinese secretly believe that they care more about their children and are willing to sacrifice much more for them than Westerners, who seem perfectly content to let their children turn out badly. I think it's a misunderstanding on both sides. All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.”
-- Amy Chua
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