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 although you never desire a boy to do a certain thing, if you do or say that thing in his presence you will see that he will try to do the same; and this perpetual experience confirms. For this reason, there is need of the greatest circumspection in the home where there are children, so that nothing be done contrary to virtue; but let the whole house observe temperance, cleanliness, and neatness, due respect for superiors, mutual complaisance, truthfulness, etc. If this were diligently observed, there would certainly be no necessity for many words to teach, or blows to enforce. But inasmuch as grown-up persons themselves often fall into excess, it is no wonder that children should also imitate what they see in others.

3. Instruction, however, and that properly timed and prudent, must accompany example. It will be a suitable time for teaching children by words, when we discover that examples have not sufficiently profited them, or when they really desire to conduct themselves according to the example of others, but yet fail of doing it properly. In