Judicious Praise | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 1, 1877

Judicious Praise.

NO HEART is insensible to words of praise, or the kindly smile of approbation; and none are above being effected by censure or blame. Children are particularly sensitive in this respect. Nothing can discourage a child more than a spirit of incessant fault finding; and perhaps nothing can exert a more baneful influence upon both parent and child.

If your little one through the day has been pleasant and obedient, and you say to him, “My son, you have been good to-day, and it makes me very happy;” and with more than a usual affectionate embrace, you say, “Good night, my dear child,” a throb of joy fills his breast, and he resolves on always earning such approval.

If your grown son or daughter has accomplished some difficult piece of work, rendering you some great assistance; or has climbed some steep in the daily drill of study; or has acquired some new accomplishment, or added grace; or, better than all, has gained the victory over some bad habit, or besetting sin—acknowledge it, see it, praise them for it. Let them see by your added tenderness, the deep joy and comfort it gives you. Thus you will create a great incentive to right conduct, and lay a broad foundation for a character which shall be redolent with succulent fruit and fragrant blossoms.