For they fill up the interstices of law, and are the props and ligatures on which the strength of the whole building depends.

Laws without customs never last; and we must not wonder if habit and custom sometimes lengthen out our laws.

'Very true.' Up to their third year, then, the life of children may be regulated by customs such as we have described.

From three to six their minds have to be amused; but they must not be allowed to become self-willed and spoilt.

If punishment is necessary, the same rule will hold as in the case of slaves; they must neither be punished in hot blood nor ruined by indulgence.