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St. Joseph Marello - 1892

However, if excess is bad, so is the exclusion from
education of every firmness and severity in correction and
punishment, and abandoning oneself to that blind indulgence
that never finds anything deserving punishment and
reprehension and even admires in faults the manifestation of
special gifts and much spirit. this is a way to hate children under
the appearance of loving them, and for fear of displeasing them,
letting them grow in vice and corruption. Severity must be used
in its time and place, but always within the limits of prudence
and discretion, in reproving as well as in punishing, so that the
soul that is at fault may not be discouraged or disheartened, and
not become obstinate in doing evil.
In order that correction may be just, timely and useful,
parents must apply themselves to knowing well the character of
their children and in discovering their inclinations in order to be
able to reprove them as they should, and even, if possible, to
stifle the evil ones and give ample development and firmness to
the good ones. Characters, or as they used to say, natures, are
different and we soon discover their tendencies; that is why it is
not good to use the same method and the same measure with
everyone. There are fiery natures that must be moderated, and
timid natures that need to be encouraged. There is no lack of
indolent natures that need to be stimulated, and stubborn natures
that have to be bent by the salutary yoke of discipline.
Moreover, we have to discern between one fault and another,
between one failing and another, and not use the same rigor for
every one; besides being unjust, it would lose all its efficacy
because of its excessive frequency. Thus, in the case of a defect,
it would not be good to apply the same punishment applicable to
a deliberate and malicious violation of a serious duty, or some
fault against Religion or good morals. In short, correction must
be made in such a way that the child, with a calm mind - at least
as much as possible - may understand that the punishment is
inflicted solely for his good, and that it was reasonable and not

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