All through life a man has need of a counsellor and guide.
Your first duty is to be humane. Love childhood. Look with friendly eyes on its games, its pleasures, its amiable dispositions. Which of you does not sometimes look back regretfully on the age when laughter was ever on the lips and the heart free of care? Why steal from the little innocents the enjoyment of a time that passes all too quickly?
We should not teach children the sciences; but give them a taste for them.
But remain the teacher of the young teachers. Advise and direct us, and we will be ready to learn. I will have need of you as long as I live.