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Education i47
One of the most frequent occasions for re-
course to this punishment is obstinacy, but
what is called obstinacy is only fear or in-
capacity. The child repeats a false answer,
is threatened with blows, and again repeats it
just because he is afraid not to say the right
thing. He is struck and then answers rightly.
This is a triumph of education; refractoriness
is overcome. But what has happened? In-
creased fear has led to a strong effort of
thought, to a momentary increase of self-con-
trol. The next day the child will very likely
repeat the fault. Where there is real obstinacy
on the part of children, I know of cases when
corporal punishment has filled them with the
lust to kill, either themselves or the person
who strikes them. On the other hand I know
of others, where a mother has brought an ob-
stinate child to repentance and self-mastery
by holding him quietly and calmly on her
knees.
How many untrue confessions have been
forced by fear of blows; how much daring
passion for action, spirit of adventure, play
of fancy, and stimulus to discovery has been
repressed by this same fear. Even where
blows do not cause lying, they always hinder
absolute straightforwardness and the down-
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