al period
be approached without losing anything. Let childhood have its full
growth. If indeed a lesson must be given, avoid it to-day, if you can
without danger delay it until to-morrow.

Another consideration which proves this method useful is the peculiar
bent of the child's mind. This ought to be well understood if we would
know what moral government is best adapted to him. Each has his own
cast of mind, in accordance with which he must be directed; and if we
would succeed, he must be ruled according to this natural bent and no
other. Be judicious: watch nature long, and observe your pupil
carefully before you say a word to him. At first leave the germ of his
character free to disclose itself. Repress it as little as possible,
so that you may the better see all there is of it.

Do you think this season of free action will be time lost to him? On
the contrary, it will be employed in the best way possible. For by
this means you will learn not to lose a single moment when time is more
precious; whereas, if you begin to act before you know what ought to be
done, you act at random. Liable to deceive yourself, you will have to
retrace your steps, and will be farther from your object than if you
had been less in haste to reach it. Do not then act like a miser, who,
in order to lose nothing, loses a great deal. At the earlier age
sacrifice time which you will recover with interest later on. The wise
physician does not give directions at first sight of his patient, but
studies the sick man's temperament, before prescribing. He begins late
with his treatment, but cures the man: the over-hasty physician kills
him.

Remember that, before you venture undertaking to form a man, you must
have made yourself a man; you must find in yourself the example you
ought to offer him. While the child is yet without knowledge there is
time to prepare everything about him so that his first glance shall
discover only what he ought to see. Make everybody respect you; begin
by making yourself beloved, so that everybody will try to please you.
You will not be the child's master unless you are master of everything
around him, and this authority will not suffice unless founded on
esteem for virtue.

There is no use in exhausting your purse by lavishing money: I have
never observed that money made any one beloved. You must not be
miserly or unfeeling, or lament the distress you can relieve; but you
will open your coffers in vain