Who said “The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can…”?

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Eric Berne. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceGames People Play: the Psychology of Human Relations (1964)

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“The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.”
— Eric Berne
VerifiedGames People Play: the Psychology of Human Relations (1964) · evidenceWorry
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Games People Play: the Psychology of Human Relations (1964).

APA

Berne, E. (n.d.). The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42714-the-moment-a-little-boy-is-concerned-with/

MLA

Berne, Eric. “The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42714-the-moment-a-little-boy-is-concerned-with/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Berne, Eric. “The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42714-the-moment-a-little-boy-is-concerned-with/.

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