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Methods of Teaching
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anyone like that.” “Like a city breached, without walls, is one who
lacks self-control.”
Proverbs 29:20
;
25:28
, NRSV.
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In one moment, the hasty, passionate, careless tongue may pro-
duce evil that a whole lifetime’s repentance cannot undo. Oh, the
hearts that are broken, the friends estranged, the lives wrecked, by
the harsh, hasty words of those who might have brought help and
healing!
The Grace of Self-forgetfulness
One characteristic that should be especially cherished and culti-
vated in every child is self-forgetfulness, a characteristic that imparts
unconscious grace to the life. Of all excellent traits of character this
is one of the most beautiful, and for every true lifework it is one of
the qualifications most essential.
Children need appreciation, sympathy, and encouragement, but
care should be taken not to foster in them a love of praise. It is
not wise to give them special notice, or to repeat before them their
clever sayings. Parents and teachers who keep in view the true ideal
of character and the possibilities of achievement, cannot cherish or
encourage self-sufficiency. They will not encourage in youth the
desire or effort to display their ability or proficiency. Every person
who looks higher than himself or herself will be humble, yet will
possess a dignity that is not abashed or disconcerted by outward
display or human greatness.
It is not by arbitrary law or rule that the graces of character are
developed. It is by dwelling in the atmosphere of the pure, the noble,
the true. And wherever there is purity of heart and nobleness of
character, it will be revealed in purity and nobleness of action and
of speech.
“Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech will
have the King as a friend.”
Proverbs 22:11
, NRSV.
Study of History Builds Character
As with language, so with every other study; it may be conducted
so that it will tend to strengthen and upbuild character. Of no study