“The child is born, doubtless, with the tendencies which should shape his future; but every tendency has its branch roads, its good or evil outcome; and to put the child on the right track for the fulfilment of the possibilities inherent in him, is the vocation of the parent.” * “It is needless to repeat what has already been said on this subject; but, indeed, the future of the man or woman depends very largely on the store of real knowledge gathered, and the habits of intelligent observation acquired, by the child.” * “Education Stronger than Nature––The child's future depends not upon his lineage so much as upon his bringing-up, for education is stronger than nature, and no human being need be given over to despair.” * “There are a thousand supplementary ways of giving such teaching (i.e. ethical); but these are apt to be casual and little binding if they do not rest upon the solid foundation of duty imposed upon us by God, and due to each other, whether we will or no. This moral relation of person to person underlies all other relations. We owe it to the past to use its gains worthily and to advance from the point at which it left off: We owe it to the future to prepare a generation better than ourselves. We owe it to the present to live, to live with all expansion of heart and soul, all reaching out of our personality towards those relations appointed for us.” * “Courage. Nothing is lost yet, and the future is for us.” * “It is probable that the education of the future will recognise, as its guiding idea, Matthew Arnold's fine saying, that "The thing best worth living for is to be of use.” * “A great future lies before the nation which shall perceive that knowledge is the sole concern of education proper, as distinguished from training, and that knowledge is the necessary daily food of the mind.” * “Knowledge is that which we know; and the learner knows only by a definite act of knowing which he performs for himself. But appalling incuria blocks the way. Boys and girls do not want to know; therefore they do not know; and their future intellectual requirements will be satisfied by bridge at night and golf by day.” Examen: How does this notion of duty and an education shaped to our relational nature and responsibility sit one hundred years after Mason wrote? Incuria means neglect, lack of care. What do I care deeply about preserving for the future? ~~~~~~~ The child is born: Charlotte M. Mason, Home Education, 1:109. It is needless: 1:265. Education Stronger than Nature: Charlotte M. Mason, Parents and Children, 2:159. There are a thousand: Charlotte M. Mason, School Education, 3:85. Courage. Nothing is lost: Charlotte M. Mason, Formation of Character, 5:153–54. It is probable: 5:447. A great future: Charlotte M. Mason, Towards a Philosophy of Education, 6:2. Knowledge is that: 6:264. Day 95 Future meditation/100 days copyright Laurie Bestvater 2025
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