OUR CHILDREN
Patri, Angelo
Our Children -By Angelo Patri WHAT you wish your child to be, what you wish him to do thoroughly and well, applaud loudly and consistently, and he will get it well set in his body and mind. That...
...His idea was that getting all you could from whomever you could was only 'normal and that his coarse vocabulary was useful for that purpose...
...That will work wonders...
...You want him to be a public person of importance...
...That morning he had called on me to ask that something be done about his boy's bad manners, his crude speech, and his domineering character because people showed they did not like him and he wanted his son to succeed...
...The boy used words that made me shrink, he expressed thoughts that made me feel sad and troubled...
...The Rule Is Simple The rule is simple and clear...
...Louder Than Words But, if you want above all else that this child shall be happy, be loved and truly successful, praise good men...
...Keep silent about any flaws in his character...
...As I listened I could hear his father speaking and see him in action...
...Teach him the truth and goodness first...
...That thought came to me as I listened to a boy about nine years old talking to another of about the same stage of growth...
...If you want your child to be famous as an actor, a radio voice, a motion picture artist, begin early...
...Just keep praising the pol-itican who has no scruples but who has the knack of getting his way regardless...
...Character not necessary...
...What you would have your child be, express in your daily example...
...Every word, every gesture, every idea had its root in his father's character...
...Remember and never forget that what you are speaks louder than anything you say, though you shout it from the housetops...
...Take him to the movies daily, point out the wonders of the highly paid performer, and skip any mention of the hard life he has to lead to achieve his position...
...Speak of their possessions, their influence, their high position in society in tones of awe...
...His son was already a great success in the field his father had prepared him to fill...
...Praise what is lovely, what is honest, what is just, what is good...
...Get good in your heart, in your character, in your life, and all other things will be added...
...If you want him to be the richest man in town, keep praising wealth, show your fondness for the people who have money abundantly...
...You'll succeed...
...Just accent his salary, his glory, and you will set that ambition firmly in the child's mind...
Vol. 8 • November 1944 • No. 46
