WRITINGS BY THE MOTHER
© Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust

Ideal Child

The things to be taught to a child

1) The necessity of absolute sincerity.

2) The certitude of the final victory of Truth.

3) The possibility and the will to progress.

Good temper, fair-play, truthfulness.

Patience, endurance, perseverance.

Equanimity, courage, cheerfulness.

 

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Two things need to be done. Children must be taught:

a) not to tell a lie, whatever the consequences;

b) to control violence, rage, anger.

If these two things can be done, they can be led towards superhumanity.

There is an idea that if one breaks conventions, restrictions, one is free from the limitations of ordinary humanity. But this is wrong.

Those two things must be achieved to be able to be what may be called "superman": not to tell lies and to control oneself. [old p. 156]

A complete devotion to the Divine is the last condition, but these are the first two things to be achieved.

18 July 1971

Collected Works of The Mother, First Edition, Volume 12, pp. 52, 55