I do not believe that knowledge is to be thrashed into boys, or that fear is the best teacher.

I shall expect you to learn, partly because you feel that as your parents have paid for you to learn it is your duty to learn, partly because you wish to please me.
I hope that the cane will seldom be used in this school.

It will be used if any boy tells me a lie, if any boy does anything which is mean and dishonorable, if any boy is obstinately idle, and when it is used it will be used to a purpose, but I trust that the occasion for it will be rare.
"I shall treat you as friends whom it is my duty to instruct.

You will treat me, I hope, as a friend whose duty it is to instruct you, and who has a warm interest in your welfare; if we really bear these relations to each other there should be seldom any occasion for punishment.

And now as a beginning today, boys, let each come up to my desk, one at a time, with his books.