John Locke

reprove the offender by himself alone, out of sight of him who complain'd

if the complaint be of something really worth your notice

They should always be heard, and fairly and kindly answer'd, when they ask after any thing they would know, and desire to be informed about. Curiosity should be as carefully cherish'd in children, as other appetites suppress'd.

must not be wholly neglected, and strain'd too far. But yet the more children can be inur'd to hardships of this kind, by a wise care to make them stronger in body and mind, the better it will be for them.

That which parents should take care of... is to distinguish between the wants of fancy, and those of nature.

And he who thinks that these two roots of almost all the injustice and contention that so disturb human life, are not early to be weeded out, and contrary habits introduc'd, neglects the proper season to lay the foundations of a good and …

They would have propriety and possession, pleasing themselves with the power

when, as he grows up, the plot thickens, and he puts on several shapes to act it.

you will ever after be able to judge

the bypass will always hang on that side that nature first plac'd it: And if you carefully observe

though with art they may be much mended, and turn'd to good purposes. But

prevalencies of constitution, are not to be cur'd by rules

apply itself different ways

For as these are different in him, so are your methods to be different, and your authority must

See what are his predominate passions and prevailing inclinations

than by giving a silent, negligent, sleepy audience to his tutor's lectures

by giving his opinion on cases propos'd, and reasoning

He will better comprehend the foundations and measures of decency and justice, and have livelier, and more lasting impressions

You have not that power you ought to have over him, till he comes to be more afraid of offending so good a friend than of losing some part of his future expectation.

The reservedness and distance that fathers keep, often deprive their sons of that refuge which would be of more advantage to them than an hundred rebukes or chidings.

you will insensibly raise his mind above the usual amusements of youth, and

The sooner you treat him as a man, the sooner he will begin to be one

A father would do well, as his son grows up, and is capable of it, to talk familiarly with him; nay, ask his advice, and consult with him about those things wherein he has any knowledge or understanding.

Reason, if consulted with, would advise, that their children's time should be spent in acquiring what might be useful to them when they come to be men, rather than to have their heads stuff'd with a deal of trash, a great part whereof they …