But ours, instead of leading men off to an imaginary heaven, brings them back to a living patrimony, and, through our ceremonies as well as through our creed, we shall preach public-spiritedness (civism).
It is important to preach this to adults, it is still more important to teach it to children: for children are more easily molded than adults.
Our hold on these still flexible minds is complete, and, through national education "we seize the coming generations."[2199] Naught is more essential and naught is more legitimate.
"The country," says Robespierre, "has a right to bring up its own children; it cannot confide this trust to family pride nor to the prejudices of individuals, the eternal nourishment of aristocracies and of a domestic federalism which narrows the soul by keeping it isolated." We are determined to have "education common and equal for all French people," and "we stamp on it a great character, analogous to the nature of our government and the sublime doctrines of our Republic.

The aim is no longer to form gentlemen (messieurs) but citizens."[21100] We oblige[21101] teachers, male and female, to present certificates of civism, that is to say, of Jacobinism.

We close the school if "precepts or maxims opposed to revolutionary morality" are taught in it, that is to say, in conformity with Christian morals.

Children will learn to read in the Declaration of Rights and in the Constitution of 1793.

Republican manuals and catechisms will be prepared for their use.[21102] "They must be taught the virtuous traits which most honor free men, and especially the traits characteristic of the French Revolution, the best calculated to elevate the soul and render them worthy of equality and liberty." The 14th of July, 10th of August, 2nd of September, 21st of January, and 31st of May must be lauded or justified in their presence.