The Uses of Enchantment

If we hope to live not just from moment to moment, but in true consciousness of our existence, then our greatest need and most difficult achievement is to find meaning in our lives.
― Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales

The child intuitively comprehends that although these stories are unreal, they are not untrue ...
― Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales

The unrealistic nature of these tales (which narrowminded rationalists object to) is an important device, because it makes obvious that the fairy tales’ concern is not useful information about the external world, but the inner process taking place in an individual.
― Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales

Since there are thousands of fairy tales, one may safely guess that there are probably equal numbers where the courage and determination of females rescue males, and vice versa.
― Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales