APRIL 15
The generality of parents feed and increase the natural falsehood of their children … Let the wise parent teach them that the author of all falsehood is the devil. … Teach them to abhor and despise, not only lying but all equivocating, all cunning and dissimulation. Use every means to give them a love of truth: of veracity, sincerity and simplicity, and of openness both of spirit and behaviour. … And from their very infancy, sow the seeds of justice in their hearts, and train them up in the exactest practice of it. If possible, teach them the love of justice, and that in the least things as well as the greatest. Impress upon their minds the old proverb: “He that will steal a penny, will steal a pound.” Habituate to them to render unto all their due, even to the uttermost farthing.
The Education of Children
It is a great step toward Christian resignation, to be thoroughly convinced of that great truth, that there is no such thing as Chance in the world.
Letter, 2nd January, 1781
