Time, as you then look back over the long interval of years which have elapsed, will greatly soften the recollection of the fault, but it will greatly aggravate that of the pain which was made the retribution of it.

You will say to yourself, it is true, I did it for the best.

If I had not done it, my son would perhaps not be what he is.

He, if he remembers the transaction, will doubtless say so too; but there will be none the less for both a certain sting in the recollection, and you will wish that the same end could have been accomplished by gentler means.
The substance of it is that children must, at all events, be governed.

The proper authority over them _must be_ maintained; but it is a great deal better to secure this end by gentle measures, if the parent have or can acquire the skill to employ them..