The saying "Better a broken bone than a broken spirit" was coined by Marjory Allen, also known as Lady Allen of Hurtwood. She was a pioneering landscape architect and child welfare campaigner who played a key role in creating adventure playgrounds in the UK during the 1950s. Lady Allen used this phrase as a mantra to emphasize the importance of allowing children to take risks and play freely, rather than overprotecting them and stifling their spirit. She helped bring the concept of adventure playgrounds, which include elements of risk and challenge, to Britain after being inspired by playgrounds in Copenhagen. Her work and this quote have become iconic in the history of child play and welfare