“A “lie-to-children” is a statement which is false, but which nevertheless leads the child’s mind towards a more accurate explanation, one that the child will only be able to appreciate if it has been primed with the lie.”
“Yes, you needed to understand that” they are told, “so that now we can tell you why it isn’t exactly true.” It is for the best possible reasons, but it is still a lie”.”
--(The Science of Discworld, Ebury Press edition, quotes from pp 41-42)
--(The Science of Discworld, Ebury Press edition, quotes from pp 41-42)