"And as the Mind in Infants, is like a white Sheet of Paper, where nothing is written; or like a tender Twig, which may be bent every Way; it is evident, that either Virtue or Vice may be planted in it."
— Guazzo, Stefano (1530-1593)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Brett
Date
1738
Metaphor
"And as the Mind in Infants, is like a white Sheet of Paper, where nothing is written; or like a tender Twig, which may be bent every Way; it is evident, that either Virtue or Vice may be planted in it."
Metaphor in Context
Let me then advise Parents to make Provision as well for the Minds as the Bodies of their Children. But as the Mind is the more excellent, it is reasonable we should bestow the greatest Care upon it. And as the Mind in Infants, is like a white Sheet of Paper, where nothing is written; or like a tender Twig, which may be bent every Way; it is evident, that either Virtue or Vice may be planted in it. And as it is known by Experience, that those Things are best retained in the Memory, which are learned in Youth, therefore Fathers ought to teach their Children the best Things, namely, the Fear and Love of God; holding it for a general Rule, that he who knows every Thing, and knows not God, knows nothing.
(p. 228)
(p. 228)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "like white paper" in ECCO
Citation
At least 4 entries in ESTC (1581, 1586, 1607, 1738).
Guazzo, Stefano. The Art of Conversation. In Three Parts. I. The Use and Benefit of Conversation in General, With Instructions to Distinguish Good Company from Bad. The Noxious Nature of Solitude, With the Evils and Mischiefs That Generally Attend It. II. Rules of Behaviour in Company Abroad, Adapted to All Ranks and Degrees of Persons; Also the Conduct and Carriage to Be Observed Between Princes and Private Persons, Noblemen and Gentlemen, Scholars and Mechanicks, Natives and Strangers, Learned and Illiterate, Religious and Secular, Men and Women. III. Directions for the Right Ordering of Conversation at Home, Between Husband and Wife, Father and Son, Mother and Daughter, Brother and Brother, Master and Servant. Interspers'd With Many Foreign Proverbs and Pleasant Stories. The Whole Fitted to Divert, Instruct, and Entertain Persons of Every Taste, Quality, and Circumstance in Life. Written Originally in Italian, by M. Stephen Guazzo. Translated Formerly Into French, and Now Into English. (London: Printed for J. Brett, at the Golden Ball, opposite St. Clement’s Church in the Strand, 1738). <Link to ESTC>
Guazzo, Stefano. The Art of Conversation. In Three Parts. I. The Use and Benefit of Conversation in General, With Instructions to Distinguish Good Company from Bad. The Noxious Nature of Solitude, With the Evils and Mischiefs That Generally Attend It. II. Rules of Behaviour in Company Abroad, Adapted to All Ranks and Degrees of Persons; Also the Conduct and Carriage to Be Observed Between Princes and Private Persons, Noblemen and Gentlemen, Scholars and Mechanicks, Natives and Strangers, Learned and Illiterate, Religious and Secular, Men and Women. III. Directions for the Right Ordering of Conversation at Home, Between Husband and Wife, Father and Son, Mother and Daughter, Brother and Brother, Master and Servant. Interspers'd With Many Foreign Proverbs and Pleasant Stories. The Whole Fitted to Divert, Instruct, and Entertain Persons of Every Taste, Quality, and Circumstance in Life. Written Originally in Italian, by M. Stephen Guazzo. Translated Formerly Into French, and Now Into English. (London: Printed for J. Brett, at the Golden Ball, opposite St. Clement’s Church in the Strand, 1738). <Link to ESTC>
Theme
Blank Slate
Date of Entry
10/26/2005
