Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students - Ellen G. White

prove insufficient, punishment that will bring the
child to its senses should in love be administered.
Frequently one such correction will be enough for
a lifetime, to show the child that he does not hold
the lines of control.
And when this step becomes necessary, the
child should be seriously impressed with the
thought that this is not done for the gratification of
the parent, or to indulge arbitrary authority, but for
the child’s own good. He should be taught that
every fault uncorrected will bring unhappiness to
himself, and will displease God. Under such
discipline children will find their greatest
happiness in submitting their wills to the will of
their heavenly Father.
Often we do more to provoke than to win. I
have seen a mother snatch from the hand of her
child something that was giving it special pleasure.
The child did not know the reason of this, and
naturally felt abused. Then followed a quarrel
between parent and child, and a sharp chastisement
ended the scene as far as outward appearance was
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