him the possibility of correcting even the habit of lying. It has happened that boys given to lying, when once thoroughly convinced of the disgracefulness of their habit, conceived such a horror of it, that they became disgusted with everything dishonest, and turned out men distinguished for uprightness and truthfulness. In this as in other defects, it will be good if the teacher follows the example of the Divine Master, of whom it was said: "The bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not extinguish."[1]
Here again the teacher's example will exercise a powerful influence. He must be open, truthful, straightforward, strictly honest in his dealings with the pupils, not sly, crooked, and political. If he is asked a question which he cannot answer, he should say: "I do not know it," or "I am not sure about it, I will inquire and tell you next time." No one can reasonably expect the teacher to know everything, and by such honest acknowledgements he will not lose a tittle of his authority. If he has made a mistake in a statement, or in reprimanding or punishing, he should frankly admit it and apologize. No school master is infallible. The teacher need fear no detriment from such a candid retractation. On the contrary, such a
- ↑ Matth. 12, 20. – Father Faber remarks in his Spiritual Conferences: "There is a peculiar clearness about characters which have learned to be true after having been deceitful." – The humiliating consciousness of having been found guilty of deceit, and the yearning desire to be trusted again, forces them to renounce everything like untruth, and to keep guard over themselves, lest they fall again into the old habit. – See the beautiful chapter (XII): "On being true and trusty" in Practical Notes on Moral Training, with preface by Father Gallway, S. J., London, Burns & Gates.
