Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother Quotes

“Florence saw childhood as something fleeting to be enjoyed. I saw childhood as a training period, a time to build character and invest for the future.”

“Chinese parents believe that they know what is best for their children and therefore override all of their children’s own desires and preferences.”

“Performing isn’t easy—in fact, it’s heartbreaking. You spend months, maybe years, mastering a piece; you become a part of it, and it becomes a part of you. Playing for an audience is like giving blood; it leaves you feeling empty and a bit light-headed.”

“By contrast, I can’t tell you how many Asian kids I’ve met who, while acknowledging how oppressively strict and brutally demanding their parents were, happily describe themselves as devoted to their parents and unbelievably grateful to them, seemingly without a trace of bitterness or resentment.”

“She had a lot of confidence, and, as long as it wasn’t me forcing it on her, she loved a challenge.”

“No matter what, you don’t talk back to your parents, teachers, elders.”

“Happiness is not a concept I tend to dwell on. Chinese parenting does not address happiness.”

“On the other hand, Florence was right. The kids were definitely mad at me. But as a Chinese mother, I put that out of my head.”

“Chinese parenting is one of the most difficult things I can think of. You have to be hated sometimes by someone you love and who hopefully loves you, and there’s just no letting up, no point at which it suddenly becomes easy.”

“There are all kinds of psychological disorders in the West that don’t exist in Asia.”

“Everything I’ve ever done that’s valuable is something I was afraid to try.”

“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.”

“Do you know what a foreign accent is? It’s a sign of bravery.”

“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.”

″[N]othing is fun until you’re good at it.”

“As a purely mathematical fact, people who sleep less live more.”

“Every day that you don’t practice is a day that you’re getting worse.”

“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.”

“Be modest, be humble, be simple. Make sure you come in first so that you have something to be humble about.”

“The truth is I’m not good at enjoying life.”

“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.”

“Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything.”

“Never complain or make excuses. If something seems unfair, just prove yourself by working twice as hard and being twice as good.”

“Once a child starts to excel at something—whether it’s math, piano, pitching or ballet—he or she gets praise, admiration and satisfaction. This builds confidence and makes the once not-fun activity fun.”

“For Chinese people, when it comes to parents, nothing is negotiable.”

“Western children are definitely no happier than Chinese ones.”