58 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,64.2) I would therefore have nothing but vice absolutely forbidden , (LOCKE-E3-P2,64.3) and since there are very few vices that a child of your sons age is capeable of , I thinke there will not need many precepts to be given him . (LOCKE-E3-P2,64.4) Lying and stubbornesse and some ill naturd tricks are all the vices I thinke children of that age can be guilty of , (LOCKE-E3-P2,64.5) but these are not {COM:sic} neither to be forbid till he appeares guilty of them , for feare least by forbiding you teach them , (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.6) for when he is first found in a lie or an ill naturd trick , the first remedy should be to talke to him of it as of a strange monstrous thing that it could not be supposd he would have donne , a thing to be wonderd at , and soe shame him out of it . (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.7) 59 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.8) Manners , as they call it , about which children are soe often perplexd and have soe many wise exortations made them by their wise maids and governesses , I thinke are rather to be learned by example then rule . (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.9) And children if keept {COM:sic} out of ill company will take a pride to behave themselves prettily after the fashon of others , perceiving themselves esteemd and commended for it . (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.10) But if by a litle negligence in this part my young master should not put off his hat or make legs a la mode , a danceing master would cure that defect and wipe of all that plainesse of nature which the a la mode people call rusticity . (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.11) And since nothing appeares to me to give children soe much becomeing confidence and a behaviour that soe much fits them for the conversation of those above their age as danceing , I thinke they should be taught to dance as soon as they are capeable of learning it , (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.12) for though this consist only in outward decency of motion , yet I know not how it gives children manly thoughts and cariage more then anything . (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.13) But otherwise I would not have children much tormented about the punctilios or nicetys of breeding . (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.14) Any carelessnesse is to be borne with in them that carys not with it the marks of ill nature , (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.15) but that when it appeares in any action is to be corrected by the ways above mentioned , (LOCKE-E3-P2,65.16) and what else remains like clownishnesse or want of perfect good manners time and observation as they grow up will of its self cure if they are bread in good company , (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.17) but if in ill all the rules in the world , all the correction imaginable will not be able to polish them . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.18) For you must take this for a certain truth that let them have what instructions you will , what teachers soever you please , that which will most influence their actions will be the company they converse with . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.19) Children nay and men too doe most by example , (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.20) we are all a sort of camelions that still take a tincture from things about us , (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.21) nor is it to be wonderd at in children who better understand what they see then what they heare . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.22) . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.23) I mentioned above one great mischeife that came by servants to children , when by their flattery they take of the edg and force of the parents rebukes , and soe lessen their authority . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.24) And here is another as great or greater inconvenience which children receive from the ill examples they meet with amongst the meaner servants . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.25) They are wholy if possible to be kept from such conversation . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.26) For the contagion of these ill examples both-1 in civility and vertue horribly infects children as often as they come in reach of it . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.27) They often learne from ill bread or debauchd servants such language , ill tricks , and vices as otherwise they would possibly be ignorant of all their lives . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.28) $'T $is {TEXT:Tis} a hard matter wholy to prevent this mischeife , (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.29) you will have very good luck if you never have an ill bread or vitious servant , and if from them your children never get any infection . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.30) But yet as much must be donne towards it as can be , and the children kept as much as may be in the company of their parents and those to whose care they are committed . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.31) To this purpose their being there should be made easy to them , (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.32) they should be allowd the libertys and freedomes suitable to their ages and not be held under unnecessary restraints when in their parents sights or in their governors . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.33) If it be a prison to them , $'t $is {TEXT:tis} noe wonder they should not like it . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.34) They must not-1 be hindred from being children and from playing and doeing as children , but from doeing ill . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.35) All other liberty is to be allowd them . (LOCKE-E3-P2,66.36) Next , to make them in love with the company of their parents , they should receive all their good things there and from their hands . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.38) The servants should be hindred from makeing court to them by giveing them strong drinke , wine , fruit , playthings , and other such matters , which may make them in love with their Company . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.39) 61 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.40) Haveing named Company I am almost ready to throw away my pen and trouble you noe farther on this subject . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.41) For since that does more then all precepts , rules , instructions , $me $thinkes {TEXT:methinkes} $'t $is {TEXT:tis} almost wholy in vain to make a long discourse of other things and to talke of that almost to noe purpose , (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.42) for you will be ready to say , what shall I doe with my son ? (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.43) If I keepe him always at home , he will be in danger to be my young Master , (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.44) and if I send him abroad , how is it possible to keepe him from the contagion of rudnesse and vice which is soe every where in fashon . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.45) In my house he will perhaps be more innocent , but more ignorant too of the world , (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.46) and being used constantly to the same faces and litle company will when he comes abroad be a sleepish or conceited creature . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.47) I confesse both sides has its inconvenience , (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.48) but whilst he is at home use him as much to your company and the company of men , $gentlemen and well bread people that come to your house , as you can , (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.49) and keep him from the corruption of your servants and meaner people , (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.50) and about his goeing abroad or staying at home we have yet time enough to consider . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.51) 62 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,67.52) Haveing here under consideration how great the influence of company is , and how prone we are all , espetially children , to imitation , I must take the liberty to set down one thing though I doubt not but you need not be advised of it , (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.53) but if that were a reason for me $to passe it in silence I might very well be excused from writeing at all . (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.54) That which I was goeing to say is this that if you will have your son have a respect for you and your orders you must have a great reverence for him . (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.55) Maxima debetur pueris reverentia . (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.56) You must doe noething before him which you would not have him imitate . (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.57) If any thing scape you which you would have passe for a fault in him , he will be sure to shelter himself under your example , (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.58) and how then you will be able to come at him to correct it in the right way I doe not easily see , (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.59) and if you will punish him for it he $can $not {TEXT:cannot} look on it as a thing which reason condemns since you practise it , (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.60) but he will be apt to interpret it the peevishnesse and arbitrary imperiousnesse of a father which without any ground for it would deny his son the liberty and pleasures he takes himself , (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.61) or if you would have it thought it is a liberty you take belonging to a man and not a child , you add but a new temptation , since you must always remember that children affect to be men earlier then is thought , (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.62) and they love breetches not for their cut or ease but because it is a marke of a step towards manhood . (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.63) I know he will run litle risque from you your self , (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.64) and therefore I adde that what I say of your cariage before your children must extend itself to all those who have any authority over them , or for whom you would have them have any respect . (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.65) And this leads me to another consideration , which is the haveing somebody about them whose only businesse should be to forme their tender years and manners . (LOCKE-E3-P2,68.66) 63 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.68) In all the whole businesse of Education there is nothing to be lesse hearkened to nor harder to be well observed then what I am now goeing to say , (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.69) and that is that I would from their first begining to talke have some describd sober wise person whose care it should be to fashon them right and keep them from ill , espetially the ill of bad company . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.70) I thinke this province requires great sobriety , temper , tendernesse , diligence and discretion , qualitys hardly to be found united in persons that are to be had for ordinary wages , or easily to be found any where . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.71) As to the charge of it , I thinke it will be the money best laid out that can be about our children , (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.72) and therefor though it may be expensive more then is ordinary , yet it $can $not {TEXT:cannot} be thought deare . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.73) He that purchases his child a good minde , well principled , temperd to virtue and usefullnesse and adorned with civility and good breeding makes a better purchase for him then if he laid out the money for an addition of more earth to his former acres . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.74) Spare it in toyes and playgames , in silke and ribbons , laces and other uselesse expences as much as you please , (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.75) but be not sparing in soe necessary a part as this . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.76) $'T $is {TEXT:Tis} not good husbandry to make his fortune rich and his minde poore . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.77) I have often with great admiration seen people lavish it profusely in trikeing up their children in fine clothes , lodging and feeding them sumptuously , allowing them more then enough of uselesse servants , and yet at the same time starve their mindes and take noe care to cover that which is the most shamefull nakednesse , viz. their natural wrong inclinations and ignorance . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.78) This I can looke on as noe other then a sacrificing to their own vanity , it shewing more their pride then true care of the good of their children . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.79) Whatsoever you imploy to the advantage of your sons minde will shew your true kindenesse , though it be to the lessening of his estate . (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.80) A wise and good man can hardly want either the opinion or reality of being great or happy , (LOCKE-E3-P2,69.81) but he that is foolish or vitious can be neither great nor happy , what estate soever you leave him , (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.82) and I aske you whether there be not men in the world whom you had rather have your son be with p. an. then some other you know with ? (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.83) 64 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.84) I conclude then that the consideration of charge will not deterre you from thoughts like mine . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.85) The great difficulty will be where to finde a person fit , (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.86) for people of small age , parts or vertue are unfit for this imployment , (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.87) and those that have greater will hardly be got to undertake such a charge . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.88) You must therefore looke out early and enquire every where , (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.89) for the world has people of all sorts , (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.90) and I remember Montagne says in one of his Essays that the learned Castalio was fain to make trenchers at Geneva to keepe himself from starving when his father would have given any money for such a tutor for his son , and Castalio have willingly imbraced such an imployment upon very reasonable termes , (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.91) but this was for want of intelligence . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.92) 65 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.93) This is what I have thought concerning the generall method of Educating your son , which though I am apt to thinke may have some influence on the whole course of his Education , yet I am far from imagining it conteins all those particulars which his growing years or peculiar temper may require . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.94) Nay , haveing writ these general $parts in the warmth of my running thoughts , there may I suppose be many things I have overseen which if hereafter they shall offer them selves to my thoughts in any of the returns of my minde to its usuall and most acceptable imployment of thinking on you and yours , I shall take the liberty to mention them to you . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.95) 66 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.96) In the meane time , haveing premised this in generall , we will now descend to a more particular consideration of your sons Education . (LOCKE-E3-P2,70.97) That which every $gentleman desires that takes any care of his Education for his son besides the estate he leaves him are I suppose these 4 things , Virtue , Wisdome , Breeding , and Learning . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.98) I will not trouble myself whether these words doe not some of them stand for the same thing or really include one another . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.99) I leave to men skild in words the glory of criticiseing . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.100) It suffices me if I make myself understood , (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.101) and I hope you will finde noe difficulty to comprehend my meaning . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.102) 67 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.103) I place virtue as the first and most necessary of those endowments that belong to a man or a $gentleman as absolutely necessary to make him valued and beloved by others , acceptable and tolerable to himself . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.104) Without that I thinke he will neither-1 be happy in this or the other world . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.105) As the foundation of this there ought very early to be imprinted on his minde a true notion of God as of the supreame being , from whom we receive all our good , that loves us and gives us all things , (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.106) and soe worke him into a love and reverence of him . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.107) This is enough to begin with , without goeing to explain this matter any farther , for feare least by talkeing too early to him of spirits and being unseasonably forward to make him understand the incomprehensible nature of that infinite being , his head be either fild with false or perplexd with unintelligible notions of him . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.108) Let him only be told upon occasion of a God that governs all things , hears and sees every thing , and does all manner of good to those that love and obey him . (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.109) You will finde being told of such a God other thoughts will be apt to rise up fast enough in his minde about him , which as you observe them to have any mistakes you must set right , (LOCKE-E3-P2,71.110) and I thinke it would be better if men generally rested in such an Idea of God without being too curious in their notions about a being which we all acknowledge incomprehensible , whereby many who have not strength and cleareness of thought to destinguish between what they can and what they $can $not {TEXT:cannot} know run them selves into superstition or Atheisme , makeing God like themselves , or because they $can $not {TEXT:cannot} comprehend any thing else , none at all . (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.111) 68 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.112) Haveing by gentle degrees , as you finde them capeable of it , setled such an Idea of God in his minde and taught him to pray to him , trouble not his younger years with any discourse of spirits , (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.113) and be sure hinder as much as you can any others from doeing so , (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.114) for it commonly tends to fill their mindes with fearfull and distracting apprehensions , it being the usuall method of servants to make children obedient to their commands to tell them of spirits and Goblins , whereby though sometimes they keepe them from commiteing some litle faults , yet the remedy is much worse then the disease , (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.115) and they leave upon their mindes Ideas that follow them with terror and affrightment , make them dastards and affraid of their shadows and darkenesse all their lives after , (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.116) for it is to be taken notice that the first impressions sinke deepest into the mindes of children , (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.117) and the notions they are possessd with when young are scarce by any industry or art ever quite whiped out after . (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.118) And I have had those complaine to me when men who had been thus used when young , that though their reason corrected the wrong Idea they had then taken in of God as an old man sitting in heaven , and though they were satisfied that there was noe cause to feare invisible beings more in the darke then in the light , yet that these notions were apt still upon any occasion to start up first in their prepossesd phansys and not to be removed without some pains . (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.119) And to let you see how lasting frightfull images are that take place in the minde earely , I shall here tell you a pretty remarkeable but true story . (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.120) There was in Glocester a man of a disturbd brain whom the boys used to tease when he came in their way in the streets . (LOCKE-E3-P2,72.121) This fellow one day seeing in the street one of the lads that used to vex him stepd into a Cutlers shop he was neare , (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.122) and there seising on a naked sword made after the boy , who seeing him comeing soe armd betooke him selfe to his feet and ran for his life , (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.123) and by good luck had law and heels enough to reach his fathers house before the other could get up to him . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.124) The doore was only latchd , (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.125) and when he had the latch in his hand he turnd about his head to see how neare his pursuer was , who was at the entrance of the porch with his sword up ready to strike , (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.126) and he had just time to get in and clap up the dore $to {TEXT:to_to} avoid the blow , (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.127) but though his body scaped his minde did not . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.128) This frightning Idea made soe deepe an impression there that it lasted many years , if not all his life after . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.129) For telling this story when he was a man he said that after that time till then he never went in at that dore that he could remember at any time without lookeing back , whatever businesse he had in his head , or how litle soever before he came thither he thought of this madman . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.130) 69 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.131) If children were let alone they would be noe more afraid in the darke then in broad sunshine . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.132) They would in their turns as much welcome the one for sleep as the other to play in , (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.133) and there should be noe destinction made to them by any discourse of more danger or terrible things in the one then the other . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.134) But if the folly of any one about them should doe them this harme to make them thinke there is any difference between being in the darke and winkeing , you must get it out of their mindes as soon as you can , and let them know that God who made all things good for them made the night that they might sleepe the better and the quieter , and that besides him who is good and kinde there is nothing in the darke , nothing that can hurt them . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.135) What is to be known more of him and spirits , espetially the evil ones , they will , doe-5 what you can , come to have notice of and phansys about early enough and sooner then would be desird . (LOCKE-E3-P2,73.136) Having laid the foundations of virtue in a true notion of a God such as the creed wisely teaches as far as his age is capeable , and by accustoming him to pray to him , the next thing to be taken care of is to keep him exactly to speaking of truth and by all the ways imaginable inclining him to be good naturd . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.138) Let him know that twenty faults are sooner to be forgiven then the straining of truth to cover any one by an excuse . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.139) And to teach them betimes to love and be good naturd to others is to lay early the true foundation for justice . All injustice generally springing from a too great love of our selves and too litle of others . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.140) . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.141) This is all I shall say of this matter at present ; (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.142) as your son grows up he will discover his natural inclination , which as it inclines him more then is convenient on one or tother side from the right path of virtue ought to have proper remedys applyd , (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.143) for few of Adams children are so happy as not to be borne with some byas in their natural temper , which it is the businesse of Education either to take off or counterbalance , (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.144) but $'t $is {TEXT:tis} in vain to thinke of remedys before we know the disease . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.145) 71 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.146) Wisdome I take in the vulgar acceptation for a mans managing his businesse ably and with foresight in this world . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.147) This is the product of a good natural temper , application of minde , and experience togeather , and soe not to be taught children . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.148) The greatest thing that in them can be donne towards it is to hinder them as much as may be from being cunning , which being the ape of wisdome is the most distant from it that can be , (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.149) and as an ape for the likenesse it has to a man , wanting what really should make him soe , is by soe much the uglier , Cunning is only the want of understanding , which because it $can $not {TEXT:cannot} compasse its businesse by direct ways would doe it by a trick and circumvention , (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.150) and the mischeif of it is , a cunning trick helps but once , (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.151) but hinders ever after . (LOCKE-E3-P2,74.152) Noe cover was ever made either soe big or soe fine as to hide its self . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.153) Noe body was ever so cunning as to conceale their being soe , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.154) and when they are once discovered every body is shie , every body distrustfull of them , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.155) and all the world forwardly joyn to oppose and defeat them , whilst the open direct wise man has every body makes way for him , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.156) and goes directly to his businesse . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.157) I doe not suspect that your son is like to be of a coverd wily temper , when I consider his make and from what stock he comes . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.158) I am apt to thinke he will be quite of another strain , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.159) and therefore I will not trouble you or myself any farther concerning this matter . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.160) 72 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.161) The next good quality belonging to a $gentleman is good breeding and civility , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.162) and though this has the name of good breeding as if peculiarly the effect of Education , yet I would not have young children much perplexd about it , I meane about puting off their hats and makeing legs modishly . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.163) Teach them to be good naturd if you can , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.164) and this sort of good manners will not be wanting , civility being in truth noething but a care not to show any slighting or contempt of anyone in conversation . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.165) What are the most allowd and esteemd ways of expressing this is as peculiar and different in severall countrys of the world as their languages , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.166) and therfor if it be rightly considerd rules and discourses made to children about it are as uselesse and impertinent as it would be now and then to give a rule or two of the Japan tongue to one that converses only with Englishmen . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.167) Read what lectures you please to your son , such as is his company , such will be his manners . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.168) A ploughman of your neighbourhood that has never been out of his parish will be as soon in his language as his cariage a Courtier , that is neither will be more polite then of those he uses to converse with . (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.169) And therefor of this noe other care can be taken , (LOCKE-E3-P2,75.170) and in good earnest , if I were to speake my minde freely , Soe children doe nothing out of obstinancy , pride and ill nature , $'t $is {TEXT:tis} noe great matter how they put of their hats or make legs , or doe it at all . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.171) If you can teach them to love and respect other people , they will as their age requires it finde ways to expresse it acceptably to every one according to the fashons they have been used to , (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.172) and as to what is becoming in their motions and cariage of their bodys , a danceing master , as has been said , when it is fit will teach them what is most becomeing . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.173) In the meane time , whilst they are young people , expect not that children should be over mindefull of these ceremonys . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.174) Carelessenesse is allowd to that age (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.175) and becomes them as well as complements doe growne people , (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.176) or if at least some very nice and not very wise will thinke it a fault , I am sure $'t $is {TEXT:tis} a fault that should be overlookd and left to time and conversation only to cure , (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.177) and therefore I would not have your son as I often see children are molested or chid about it , (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.178) but where there is pride or ill nature appearing in his cariage , there he must be perswaded or shamd out of it . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.179) 73 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.180) This that I have said here , if it were well reflected on , would perhaps lead us a litle farther , and let us see of what influence company is . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.181) $'T $is {TEXT:Tis} not the modes of civility alone that are imprinted by conversation . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.182) The influence of company sinkes deeper then the outside , (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.183) and possibly if a true estimate were made of the morality and religions of the world we should finde that the far greater part of mankinde received even those opinions and ceremonys they would die for rather from the fashons of their Country and the constant practise of those about them then from any conviction of their reasons . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.184) I mention this only to let you see of what moment I thinke company is to your son in all the parts of his life , and therefore how much that one part is to be weighd and provided for , it being of greater force to worke upon him then all you can doe besides . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.185) 74 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,76.186) You will wonder perhaps that I put Learning last , espetially if I tell you I thinke it the least part . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.187) This will seeme strange in the mouth though not of a learned yet of a bookish man , (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.188) and this being usually the cheif if not only bustle and stir about children , that almost alone which is thought on when people talke of Education , makes it the greater paradox . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.189) When I consider what a deale adoe is made about a litle Latin and Greeke and how many years are foolishly spent in it , and what a noise and businesse it makes to noe purpose , I can hardly forbeare thinking that the parents of children live in feare of the schoolemasters rod and therefor sacrifice their children to this Moloch to appease his anger . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.190) How else is it possible that a childe should be chaind to the oar 7 or 8 or of the best yeares of his life to get fee fa fum , bonus bona bonum , to get a language or two which I thinke might be had at a great deale cheaper rate of pains and time , and be learnt almost in playing . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.191) 75 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.192) But it will be time enough hereafter to discourse more of that matter , (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.193) only in the meane time give me leave to say I $can $not {TEXT:cannot} with patience thinke that you should put your son into the heard and have him driven with whip and scourge as if he were to run the gantlet through the severall classes , Ad capiendum ingenii cultum . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.194) What then , say you , would you not have him read and write ? (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.195) Shall he be more ignorant then the Clerk of our parish , who takes Hopkins and Sternall for the best poets in the world , whom yet he makes worse then they are by his ill reading ? (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.196) Not soe . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.197) Not soe fast , I beseech you . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.198) Reading and writeing and Learning I allow to be necessary , but yet not the cheif businesse . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.199) I assure you you would thinke him a very foolish fellow that should not value a virtuous or a wise man infinetly before a great Schollar . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.200) Not but that I thinke learning a great help to both in well disposd mindes , (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.201) but it must be confessd also that in others not soe disposd it helps them only to be more foolish or more wicked . (LOCKE-E3-P2,77.202) I say this that when you consider of the breeding of your son and are looking out for a Schoolmaster and a Tutor , that you would not have , as is usuall , Latin and Logique only in your thoughts . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.203) Let them come in , but in the second place , as subservient only to greater and more necessary Qualitys . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.204) Seeke out some body that may know how discreetly to frame his manners , (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.205) place him in hands where you may as much as possible secure his innocence , cherish and nurse up the good , and gently correct and weed out any bad inclinations . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.206) This is the main point , (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.207) and this being provided for , learning may be had into the bargain , and that as I thinke at a very easy rate , by methods that may be thought on . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.208) 76 . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.209) Now that he can talke , $'t $is {TEXT:tis} time , you thinke , he should begin to learne , learne to read I meane , (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.210) but I thinke as to this great care is to be taken that it be never made as a businesse to him , that he never looks on it as a taske . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.211) We naturally from our cradles love liberty , (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.212) and have therefore an aversion for many things for noe other reason but because they are injoynd us . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.213) I have always had a phansy that learning might be made play and recreation to children and that they might be brought to desire to be taught , if it were proposd to them as a thing of honour , credit , delight , and recreation , if they were never chid nor corrected for the neglect of it . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.214) That which confirms me in this opinion is that amongst the Portugeses $'t $is {TEXT:tis} soe much a fashon and emulation amongst their children to learne to read and write that they $can $not {TEXT:cannot} hinder them from it . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.215) They will learne it one from another , (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.216) and are as intent on it as if it were forbidden them . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.217) And I remember that being at a freinds house whose younger son , a child in coats , was not easily brought to his book being taught to read at home by his mother I advised to trie another way then requiring it of him as a duty . (LOCKE-E3-P2,78.218) We then by talke with him and discourse on purpose one with another made him apprehend that it was the priviledg and advantage of Heirs and Elder brothers to be Schollars , that this made a fine $gentleman and beloved by every body , and that for younger brothers $'t $was {TEXT:twas} a favour to admit them to that breeding , to be taught to read and write was more then came to their share , (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.219) they might be ignorant bumkins and clowns if they pleased . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.220) This soe wrought upon the child that afterwards he desird to be taught , would come himself to his mother to Learne , and would not let his maid be quiet till she heard him his lesson . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.221) I doe not doubt but some way like this might be taken with other children , and when their tempers are found , some thoughts be instilld into them that might set them upon desireing of learning themselves , and they themselves seeke it as another sort of play or recreation . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.222) But then as I said before it must never be imposd as a taske , nor made a trouble to them . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.223) There are dice and playthings with the letters on them to teach children the alpabet {COM:sic} by playing , (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.224) and twenty other ways may be found out , suitable to their particular tempers , to make this kinde of learning a sport to them . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.225) I would not , I say , have learning made by any means his businesse . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.226) He should never be driven to it , nor it be imposd on him as a taske . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.227) I thinke the beginning , which in all things is the hardest , he may be brought to play himself into , and may be taught to read without ever perceiving that it is anything but a sport . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.228) Children should not have any thing like worke or serious imposed upon them . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.229) Their mindes nor bodys will not beare it , (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.230) it injures their healths , (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.231) and their being forced and tied down to their books in an age at enmity with all such restraint has , I doubt not , been the reason why a great many have hated books and learning all their lives after . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.232) $'T $is {TEXT:Tis} like a surfet that leaves an aversion behind not to be removed . (LOCKE-E3-P2,79.233)