All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things

“Knowledge is meaningful only if it is reflected in action. The human race has found out the hard way that we are what we do, not just what we think. This is true for kids and adults—for school rooms and nations.”

Fulghum uses a declarative and reflective tone to emphasize the pragmatic nature of knowledge and its implications on human behavior. He discusses the existential principle that identity manifests through action: What you do reflects who you are. The inclusion of both “kids and adults” expands the relevance of this message, emphasizing its broad application.

“As long as life exists, something always happens next. There always consequences—always sequels.”

This quote encapsulates the continuous nature of events, suggesting that life is a perpetual sequence of causes and effects. This idea is reinforced by the assertion that there are “always consequences—always sequels,” which serves as a philosophical reflection on the interconnectedness of actions and outcomes. Fulghum employs parallelism in repeating the word “always,” emphasizing the certainty and inevitability of this ongoing process.

“And then there was the note: ‘Anything not worth doing is worth not doing well. Think about it, Elias Schwartz.’ The Haiho Lama strikes again.”

Fulghum uses irony and a play on traditional sayings to convey Elias Schwartz’s unconventional wisdom. The note introduces a reflective twist on a conventional maxim that encourages readers to question the value and purpose of their actions. By attributing this statement to Schwartz, Fulghum enhances the mystical aura around his character, reinforcing the humorous yet insightful persona of the supposed Haiho Lama.