There is danger of both parents and teachers commanding and dictating too much, while they fail to come sufficiently into social relation with their children or scholars. They often hold themselves too much reserved, and exercise their authority in a cold, unsympathizing manner which cannot win the hearts of their children and pupils. If they would gather the children close to them, and show that they love them, and would manifest an interest in all their efforts and even in their sports, sometimes even being a child among children, they would make the children very happy and would gain their love and win their confidence. And the children would sooner respect and love the authority of their parents and teachers. {3T 134.2}

Der er fare for, at både forældre og lærere byder og befaler for meget, medens de forsømmer i tilstrækkelig grad at komme i venskabeligt forhold til deres børn eller elever. De holder sig ofte for meget tilbage og øver deres autoritet på en kold, usympatisk måde, der ikke kan vinde deres børns og elevers hjerter. Dersom de ville samle børnene omkring sig og vise, at de elsker dem og at de har interesse for dem i alle deres foretagender, endog i deres leg, ja undertiden være et barn iblandt børn, ville (135) de gøre børnene meget lykkelige, vinde deres kærlighed og tillid. Og børnene ville hurtigere lære at agte og elske deres forældre og lærere.