‘Natural Genius’
John Locke acknowledges, “I confess, there are some men’s constitutions of body and mind so vigorous, and well framed by nature, they need not much assistance from others; but, the strength of their natural genius, they are from their cradles carried towards what is excellent.” The ‘natural genius’ is illustrative of instinctive insight which does not oblige conventional schooling for it yield cleverness. Such inherent astuteness is exceptional; nevertheless, it is a display of authoritative knowledge that cannot be replaced by academic ideals.
Rod
John Locke writes, “But if you take way the rod on one hand, and these little encouragements, which they are taken with, on the other; how then (will you say) shall children be governed? Remove hope and fear, and there is an end of all discipline.” The rod is representative of the chastisement which nurtures operant learning in the children. Dread of facing the rod is causative to averting misconduct among children; hence, it is a vital element of restraint.
