... when boys who have behaved badly turn over a new leaf and become good, they have the power of bringing contentment and happiness to their families. p190
Boys who minister tenderly to their parents, and assist them in their misery and infirmities, are deserving of great praise and affection, even if they cannot be cited as examples of obedience and good behavior. p189
... we should show courtesy to everyone, if we wish it to be extended to us in our hour of need. p184
Stolen money never fructifies. p183
Boys who refuse to study, and turn their backs upon books, schools, and masters, to pass their time in play and amusements, sooner or later come to a bad hand... p149
Boys are always very ready to promise; but generally they are little given to keep their word. p138
... his father had often told him that a good action is never lost. p125
Beware of bad companions! p121
Let me tell you that every man, whether he is born rich or poor, is obliged to do something in this world—to occupy himself, to work. Woe to those who lead slothful lives. Sloth is a dreadful illness and must be cured at once, in childhood. If not, when we are old it can never be cured. p112
I saw from the sincerity of your grief that you had a good heart; and when boys have good hearts, even if they are scamps and have bad habits, there is always something to hope for: that is, there is always hope that they will turn to better ways. That is why I came to look for you here. p111
He was ashamed to beg, for his father had always preached to him that no one had a right to beg except the aged and the infirm. The really poor in this world, deserving of compassion and assistance, are only those who from age or sickness are no longer able to earn their own bread with the labor of their hands. p106
This idea of finding himself alone, alone, all alone, in the midst of this great uninhabited country, made him so melancholy that he was just beginning to cry. 104
Hunger knows neither caprice nor greediness. p101
What is the good of accusing the dead? ... The dead are dead, and the best thing to be done is to leave them in peace! p95
Hunger, my boy, is not a good reason for appropriating what does not belong to us. p90
Today I have learned at least that to put a few pennies honestly together it is necessary to know how to earn them, either by the work of our own hands or by the cleverness of our own brains. p83
... telling lies—the most disgraceful fault that a boy can have. p76
Remember that boys who are bent on following their caprices, and will have their own way, sooner or later repent it. p57
Don't trust, my boy, those who promise to make you rich in a day. Usually they are either made or rogues! p57
... do you know that in that way you will grew up a perfect donkey, and that every-one will make game of you? p23
Woe to those boys who rebel against their parents, and ran away capriciously from home. They will never come to any good in the world, and sooner or later they will repent bitterly. p23
