Page:Education and Life; (IA educationlife00bakerich).pdf/106



We shall not discuss the philosophical systems which underlie ethical theories, nor the theories themselves which consider the nature of the moral sense and the supreme aim of life, but shall treat practical ethics as a part of didactics, and as a part of that unspoken influence which should be the constant ally of instruction. It is not the purpose to present anything new, but rather to give confidence in methods that are well known and are successfully employed by skilful and devoted teachers.

The formation of right habits is the first step toward good character. Aristotle gives this fact special emphasis. Here are some detached sentences from his ethics: "Moral virtue is the outcome of habit, and, accordingly, its name is derived by a slight deflection from habit It is by playing the harp that both good and bad harpists are produced, and the case of builders and all artisans is similar, as it is by building well that they will be good builders, and by building badly that they will be bad builders Accordingly, the difference between one training of the habits and another, from early days, is not a light matter, but is serious or all-important." Aristotle here expresses a truth that has become one of the tritest. All mental dispositions are strengthened by repetition. We learn to