Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let
her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest
undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish
him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should
this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify
him, for the child's character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to
blows or verbal abuse.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of
'Abdu'l-Bahá’)
